THE rector of St Alkmund's Church in Whitchurch will be retiring next month having served the town for many years.

Reverend Judy Hunt will be stepping down from her role in April after serving the town for 12 years.

Rev Hunt was one of the first women to be ordained in the 1990s and she spoke about being ready to retire.

She said: "I have been doing this here or elsewhere for quite a long time.

"I am ready to retire having worked a 70 to 90 hour week for a long time.

"I will miss the people but I will enjoy having a bit more freedom."

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Rev Hunt had previously served as Archdeacon of Suffolk and Canon Residentiary in Chester Cathedral.

Rev Hunt spoke highly of her time in the town and serving the community through the church.

She said: "It has been a good time. The town and the church are friendly places.

"We have managed to start up quite alot of good things.

"I was the one who kick started the foodbank along with Churches Together.

"We have got the dementia support group, Time Together and the hospital chaplaincy teams.

"It has been good to be able to develop those things to serve the community."

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and her death took place duyring Rev Hunt's time as rector and she spoke about the importance of the Church.

Rev Hunt explained: "St Alkmund's is one of the official churches in the county for a condolence book with the Queen having been head of the Church of England.

"We had a quite a lot of people come in."

When asked about what plans she had for her retirement, Rev Hunt said: "The usual guidance for Church of England priests is to have six months with nothing official.

"I have got a great-niece and great-nephew about to be born in Saffron Walden in Essex.

"I am going to have more time for dog walking and music.

"I am going to be doing training to offer spiritual direction."

Rev Hunt was pleased to have served many families in the town.

She concluded: "Quite a lot of people are saying to me that I have been a part of their family lives because of the baptisms and funerals.

"It has made me realise just quite how many people I have interacted with.

"I am glad that I have been here to serve in that kind of way."