A RETIRING vicar has been given a warm send off by his congregation - as he reveals his secret plan to learn Spanish.

Father Stewart Irwin will step down at the end of the month after spending 18 years as vicar for the Hunwick and Howden-le-Wear parish.

More than 50 parishioners attended his last Mass at St Paul’s church in Hunwick this morning (May 26).

They paid tribute to the 60-year-old who has shared in their joys and woes since 1995 and ended the service with three cheers.

He was ordained in 1983 and worked in Brighouse in West Yorkshire for four years, then Ragworth in Stockton before moving to Hunwick in 1995.

Speaking to The Northern Echo after concluding his final mass, Fr Irwin said: “There are so many things that I have enjoyed, but one thing I will always remember is the people’s hospitality and friendliness.”

He also praised the support the church has had from those outside of the congregation.

During the service he said: “I have been immensely privileged to accompany you on your pilgrimage.”

He also expressed his pride at sharing in the special moments of their lives, such as weddings and christenings.

When Fr Irwin first arrived he was responsible for two churches, but the decision was made in 2008 to close St Mary’s in Howden-le-Wear due to a dwindling congregation.

Fr Irwin has also served as the chairman of governors at both Hunwick and Howden-le-Wear Primary Schools.

He said: “I will especially miss doing that, I had some wonderful times.

“It was getting to the point where I was seeing the children of the children I had first met when I started, maybe that was a sign to call it a day.”

Fr Irwin will remain in the village with his partner and said his first few months of retirement will be spent relaxing.

He said: “For the first six months I will do nothing.

“We will be moving house so will need to get that sorted and probably do a bit of gardening.

“After that I have no real plans, although one thing I really want to do is learn Spanish.

“Whether I end up visiting Spain or not depends on how well the lessons go.”