FORMER parishioners of Barnard Castle priest Father Anthony Barker have marked his retirement with a presentation.
Fr Barker was priest at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church for 15 years until his recent retirement to Wolsingham.
His parishioners invited him back to a supper at St Mary's School in Barnard Castle on Friday, where they marked the occasion with several gifts.
He was presented with a carved pit pony, miner and cart, called Wagonways, by altar servers James and Katie Burns, who made the presentation on behalf of the priest's former congregation.
Fr Barker explained that his father had been a miner at South Hetton and told how, as a boy, he used to watch miners making coal carvings.
He was then presented with a cheque by 15-year-old Felicity Cooper, the first child he baptised. He also received three large flower tubs.
In response, Fr Barker said he wanted to thank his parishioners for 15 wonderful years
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