KIRKBYMOORSIDE vicar Canon David Purdy is celebrating 25 years in the priesthood this week.
After being ordained at York Minster in 1976, Mr Purdy served his first curacy on Teesside in Marske, followed by another curacy in Middlesbrough.
After a number of years as vicar in Newby and Redcar, he came to Kirkbymoorside six years ago and became a canon three years ago.
In Ryedale, he covers a large patch, including Bransdale and Farndale.
"It's a lovely place to live and I have a good parish," he said.
"I very much enjoy being an ordained minster of the Church of England. I have always seen it as a job doing something important."
He said it was a privilege to be involved in people's lives.
Since living in the parish, Mr Purdy has remarried, after his first wife died. His wife, Angela, runs a business in the town and plays an active role in the community life helping out with a number of groups, including the youth club for teenagers.
Mr Purdy was set to mark his 25-year anniversary yesterday with a Eucharist and a celebration at the vicarage with friends and parishioners.
Updated: 10:37 Thursday, June 28, 2001
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