GEOFF Hodgson was a respected teacher and historian. He published many works on York and was an authority on the Holgate and Acomb areas.

But his story was worth its own book. His lifelong friendship with Derek Wooldridge was forged from a childhood accident. Mr Wooldridge became a priest, and tomorrow he will honour a promise to preach at Mr Hodgson's funeral service.

That takes place at St Paul's, the church where Mr Hodgson was baptised and the subject of another of his books. He was a man faithful to his church and to his city.

Updated: 09:59 Thursday, February 26, 2004