A VICAR has retired after serving two South Oxfordshire villages for a quarter of a century.

Chris Stott, 65, moved to Harwell in February 1985 as Rector of St Matthew’s Church and nearby All Saints’ in Chilton, after six years working overseas in Tanzania.

And he enjoyed the job so much he never ended up moving.

He said: “I thought I would be here for about ten years, but as it worked out, it never seemed the right time to move on."

Even now, Rev Stott and wife Eva are not moving far, retiring to a house in nearby Blewbury. The move will bring them closer to daughter Jennie, who met future husband Steve Slatter at the church when the family first moved to Harwell, and their two grandchildren.

Rev Stott said: “I was young when I came here, now I am old. It has been a great community to live in and going between the two churches for 25 years.

“Among the highlights have been the various festivals and church weekends, and two trips to Israel and Jordan that I led.

“We have lots of wonderful memories of the people we have worked with for many, many years.”

He said: “Harwell has changed a lot in the last 25 years, but both churches are still thriving and congregations are very encouraging.”

Parishioners celebrated his time at the church with a Thanksgiving Songs of Praise at St Matthew’s, followed by a party in the village hall.