PIPES played and the sound of Gaelic singing echoed around Acomb in York as parishioners celebrated 40 years of service by their parish priest.

Father Pat Smith, who has been in charge of Our Lady’s Roman Catholic parish since 1999, was ordained in Redcar on May 31, 1970 after being deacon at St George’s RC Church, in Peel Street, York.

Exactly 40 years later, hundreds of people of all ages from York and Teesside came together with six priests for a mass to mark his ruby jubilee followed by musical celebrations with bagpipes.

Scottish-born Father Smith delighted the crowd by singing the Eriskay Love Lilt, unaccompanied, in Gaelic and English and Song Of The Clyde. Angela Clarke, who organised the day’s activities, said: “He is a wonderful, humble, gentle, kind man. We love him and we wanted to say thank you for all he has done for us.”

Tony White, speaking on behalf of Our Lady’s parish council, praised the priest for his “dedication and care” and hard work for his community.

Earlier, Iain Thyne, of York City Pipe Band, made a surprise visit to the celebration wearing the Flower Of Scotland kilt to entertain the gathering with bagpipe music, and the children of Our Lady’s RC Primary School sang songs, including their own version of Mamma Mia, by Abba, in his honour. Members of the York ceilidh band Gaelstrom led a community sing-song and played dance music.

During the mass, Canon Michael Ryan, who was Our Lady’s parish priest until 1999 and who has known Father Smith for more than 40 years, gave the homily and parishioner Cathy Atkin sang Panis Angelicus as a solo.