A POPULAR vicar held his final ’emotional’ Sunday service in the Forest last weekend.

A large congregation was at the Holy Trinity Church in Drybrook – the Forest Church – to say goodbye to Rev Nick Bromfield.

Children at Ruardean Church of England Primary School said their own fond farewell when Rev Bromfield visited the school last week.

Rev Bromfield has been in the Forest for 14 years, serving most recently as rector of Drybrook, Lydbrook and Ruardean for the last decade.

He has been appointed as team rector for North Cheltenham and will be in charge of five churches serving a population of 30,000.

Speaking to the congregation at the Drybrook church he said: “I have not prepared any words of wisdom for today because I find it too emotional.

“I am quite sentimental when it comes to these types of occasions so I felt that it was best to speak from the heart.

“I can’t believe its 10 years since I ambled into this church, having been appointed in 2006. I never dreamt what the next decade would bring and how those 10 years would unfold.

“I remember in my last job, as a management consultant in London, looking across the road and seeing the vicar going in to his church and unlocking it and saying his daily prayers.

“I recall thinking what a lovely, peaceful job that is. I never dreamt what the reality was when I undertook the role myself.

“Being the rector here has grabbed me by the heart. It’s an area full of wonderful people and being part of that enormous family I found that everybody was always looking out for each other.

“Thank you all for what you’ve given me over the last decade-and-a-half in the Forest, which began when I was appointed as a curate in Tidenham, Hewelsfield and St Briavels back in 2002.”

Churchwarden James Gilding said : “It’s nice to see so many people here at the Forest Church attending from all over the benefice.

“It’s both a celebration and a sad day as we are losing Rev Nick and his family, who have been with us for 10 years and we wish him well when he leaves us for pastures new in Cheltenham.”

Churchwarden Jane White added : “A collection was held in the benefice’s three churches and from this we have presented the family with some gifts.

For Rev Nick we have an antique Waterman ink pen to add to his collection, an Everyman Theatre voucher and flowers, along with a card signed by as many people from the benefice as we could muster – oh, and £1,000.”

Rev Nick observed: “I could buy a top-of-the-range skateboard with that.”

The service was attended by officiating bishop Christopher Hill who joked that he had been sent by the Bishop of Gloucester, Rt Rev Rachel Treweek, as she thought she would be unpopular for sending Rev Nick to Cheltenham.

A special assembly was held at Ruardean School – which was also attended by parents and governors – where Rev Nick was presented with a cake, appropriately in the shape of a cross.

Headteacher Jane Evans thanked him for his commitment and “tireless, hard work” over the last 10 years.

She also reflected on the many people he has helped during key moments of their lives, both joyful and the more difficult times.

The cake was made by Jackie Craig, Alison Lewis and her mum and featured figures of the vicar and children.

The cake, along with a card signed by all those associated with the school, was presented to Rev Nick by student Allegra Harmen.