A WELL-KNOWN vicar bowed out with a farewell service at a Malton church on Sunday.

The Rev Dr Peter Bowes, 65, was ordained in 2003 after studying at Durham.

But the former solicitor, who practised in York and Hull, had been a lay minister for many years before his ordination.

“I became a reader 42 years ago tomorrow,” he said on Sunday after the service.

After a curacy at Pocklington he worked with his wife, the Rev Beryl Bowes, in the Street parishes near Malton.

He then became an assistant curate at St Michael’s some years ago at the time that the then vicar and rural dean, the Rev Nick Jones, was taken ill and subsequently died of cancer.

Dr Bowes, who obtained his doctorate in theology, became priest in charge at St Michael’s in 2007.

He was also rural dean for two years.

His wife retired from full-time ministry in October last year and the couple intend to live in Easingwold.

“It has been a very enjoyable time here while also being challenging,” he said.

Father Tim Bywater of St Leonard & St Mary’s RC Church, Malton, said Dr Bowes had been a great supporter of the ecumenical movement.

At the end of the service Dr Bowes was presented with a bird table, a cheque and a book signed by parishioners.

After coffee in the church, a lunch was enjoyed by the couple and parishioners in the Milton Rooms.

In a farewell letter Dr Bowes said: “It has been a privilege to serve this parish and I wish you well.”

Following his retirement, the united benefice of Malton and Old Malton comes into force so his successor, who has yet to be announced, will be vicar of both St Mary’s Priory at Old Malton and St Michael’s with both churches working closely together to serve the whole community while maintaining their distinct traditions and styles of worship.