A VICAR has hung up his dog collar after 27 years of service in the villages of Cookley and Wolverley.

The Rev Geoffrey Shilvock has retired from St John the Baptist Church, Wolverley and St Peter’s Church in Cookley.

The 65-year-old is now looking forward to some free time, although he will still be taking services and getting involved with the community, in Kidderminster, when he moves to the town from the Wolverley Vicarage.

“It seems very surreal,”

said Mr Shilvock. “I’ve got a lot of friends here and I’m having to move house and leave everybody behind.

“That’s very hard after 27 years but I’m looking forward to the free time of being able to work out what I want to do myself.”

He added he would miss the people the most, as he has “got to know an awful lot of people” during his time at the churches.

“I’ve just enjoyed getting involved in the community and taking part in the community,” he said. “It was quite difficult to say goodbye to everyone.

“But I knew that I was still going to be living in Kidderminster not so far away. It’s quite hard really, saying goodbye to people.”

Mr Shilvock, who enjoys reading and drawing, said he was not yet sure how he would fill in his spare time.

A special event to mark his service in the community was held at Cookley Village Hall, where he was presented with a watercolour painting.