FOND farewells have been given to the Lead Superintendent of Bude and Holsworthy Methodist Circuit.

The Rev John Henry and his wife Wendy will be moving to Guisborough next month, where he will become Superintendent minister of the Cleaveland and Danby circuit.

A special farewell service and presentation was held at Bodmin Street Methodist Church on Sunday marking the end of his 10 years' service to the community.

Mr Henry took up the role as Superintendent Minister of the Holsworthy Circuit in July 2005. In 2011, Holsworthy Circuit united with the Bude Circuit to become the Bude and Holsworthy Circuit.

Mr Henry later became Lead Superintendent, working alongside the Rev Neal Street from Bude, which he said was a 'real pleasure'.

Tears were shed at a moving service on Sunday.

Mr Henry said: "We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Holsworthy. We have made lots of memories and made lots of friends and on the whole it's been a very happy 10 years and we have loved the Westcountry."

The couple have been tying up 'loose ends' and packing before they move on August 5.

"It's a bitter sweet feeling, we will be sad to leave here, but I am equally looking forward to a new challenge and pastures new.

"During my time, I have looked after up to 11 churches in the Holsworthy area and in Guisborough I will look after one church with up to 200, which will be different, but I am looking forward to it."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.