Town gives thanks to priest
A POPULAR priest was wished a fond farewell by Greater Willington Town Council this week as he moved to pastures new.
Father John Reid has been the priest at Our Lady and St Thomas’ Catholic church in Willington for 18 years but tomorrow, June 20, he will hold his last service in the area before moving to St Cuthbert’s in Chester-le-Street.
Father John, who was also the priest for St Joseph’s in Tow Law said he will miss the town he has come to call home.
The 61-year-old, who also a school governor for Our Lady and St Thomas and Sunnybrow Primary Schools said: “The thing I will miss the most are the people, the friendships I have made here.
“I am proud of the way all the churches, not just the Catholics, have worked closely together and we have always had very good relationships. I will also miss the two schools because I always enjoyed working with the children and staff and feel we have accomplished a lot.
“I am sad to be leaving but I have work to do elsewhere.”
Father John also said he will have precious memories from his time in Willington including the commemoration service of the Brancepeth Pit Disaster. Father John, who was born in Castle Eden, was the last resident clergyman in Willington and his patch will be taken over by Michael Griffiths based in Ushaw moor.
Brian Myers, the chairman of Durham County Council and a regular speaker at Father John’s Remembrance Day services said: “This is a sad day for the town because we no longer have a priest living here.
“Father John has been a magnificent boost to Willington and he will be sorely missed by all of us here.”
Town Council chairman Graham Sewell presented Father John with a gift voucher this week and said: “It is the least we could do for Father John who has supported this council and helped improve the town.
He is our loss but Chester-le-Street’s gain and I think we are all pleased we managed to have him here for 18 excellent years.”
