Colourful farewell for vicar

THE Rev Willi Nesbitt (centre) with parishioners (left to right) Ann Hibbert, Isabel Hughes, Vera Butler and Liz Rooke

A poignant message of poverty and hope was underlined at a special harvest festival service which marked a Saddleworth’s vicar’s farewell.

Willi Nesbitt, team vicar at St Chad’s, Uppermill, for four years, conducted her final service at Saddleworth Parish Church in front of a packed congregation of well-wishers before returning to her native Ireland to take up a post in Cork.

One of the highlights of the moving service was a presentation by Liz Rooke and Anne Hibbert, dressed in colourful African costumes, who had recently returned from a mission to Oshandi in Nambia.

The parish church developed strong links with the poverty-stricken community more than 12 years ago and, for the past eight years, has sent a team to work on school, education and hospital projects, supported by fund-raising activities by parishioners and Saddleworth residents.

Addressing the congregation, Liz, the former head teacher of Dobcross Primary School, said Oshandi had been devastated by widespread flooding and crop failure. She added: “Although no one died, the people have absolutely nothing. They live in communities without modern communication and no machinery.

“But they have never lost hope and they share what little the have with all the other villagers and any visitors.”

The Rev Nesbitt, who received special gifts from parish church wardens Vera Butler and Isabel Hughes on behalf of the church, said: “I will really miss Saddleworth and its wonderful people. You will all travel in my heart.”

She later attended a service at St Mary’s, Greenfield.