ONE of the first women clergy in the Church of England in North Yorkshire, the Rev Judy Duke, has retired as Rector of the Buckrose Benefice.

For the past five years she has been responsible for the parish churches of St Andrew’s, East Heslerton, St Andrew’s, Rillington, St Hilda’s, Sherburn, All Saints, West Heslerton, St John the Baptist, Yedingham, St Edmund’s Knapton, St Martin’s, Scampston, All Saints, Thorpe Bassett and St Peter’s, Wintringham.

However, due to two of them being officially closed and under the care of a church conservation organisation, services are only held occasionally at East Heslerton and Wintringham, said Judy.

She was ordained as a deacon in 2005 and shortly after was installed priest, but had worked for as a lay minister and a reader in the church since 1996.

Before Judy went into the ministry, she was already well-known in Rillington, coming from a local farming family.

The village has been her home for 48 years. She ran the post office for 20 years and prior to that, was a probate clerk in a solicitor’s office.

Judy said during her years in the clergy she had never experienced any issues relating to the ordination of women.

“I have always been most warmly welcomed by everyone. I have never had any hint of resentment from anyone as a woman priest. I have thoroughly enjoyed my ministry,” she said.

And on the current controversial debate on women bishops, she said: “They are a logical step forward from having women priests, though I wouldn’t have wanted to be one myself.”

Her popularity in the Buckrose Benefice is such that two farewell parties were held recently, one at Rillington and at St Hilda’s where she conducted her last service as rector.

Now in retirement she plans to spend more time pursuing her hobbies of embroidery, baking, dog walking – and brass cleaning. But she still plans to live in Rillington.

Anne Baron, whose family has been involved with Thorpe Bassett church for several decades, said: “We all love Judy and we are sad she is retiring. She has always taken a keen interest in everyone and been a very popular rector, especially coming from a farming family in an area where farming is so important.

“But we are very happy that she is still going to be part of our community.”