Clifford’s long service celebrated

A SPECIAL service to mark Clifford Ward’s 60 years as a lay preacher and an amazing 71 years’ association with the Methodist church will be held at the weekend.

The 88-year-old has worked voluntarily for Roman Road Methodist Church, Failsworth, and associated independent methodist churches for six decades.

He joined the church in 1937 and became a minister in 1948.

He served with the Royal Artillery then the Intelligence Corps during the Second World War, preaching when he could.

He said: “Had it not been for the war, I would probably have become a minister five years earlier.”

Mr Ward’s achievement will be marked at the Roman Road church on Saturday with a service of thanksgiving and celebration at 3pm.

Still an active minister and church leader, he will speak at the service, which is expected to be attended by around 100 guests.

He said of his long association with the church: “It has been a joy and a privilege.”

And he vowed: “I will still be preaching. This is a milestone, not a retirement.”

Mr Ward, who lives in Windsor Road, Oldham, has one son and two grandchildren, and is a retired head teacher of a Manchester special school.

He started his teaching career as a trainee at Hollins Secondary School.

The church is celebrating its centenary this year, and on its May 17 anniversary Mr Ward was chosen to officially open a fun day to mark the occasion.