A LONG-SERVING parishioner has been awarded an honorary title to recognise his contribution to his church.
Leslie Atkinson, 82, was appointed churchwarden emeritus at St Leonard’s Church in Farlington, near Sheriff-Hutton, by the Rt Rev Martin Wallace, Bishop of Selby.
Mr Atkinson has served St Leonard’s and the Farlington community as a churchwarden for 44 years, from 1966 until his retirement last year.
The Rev Chris Ellis said: “As a churchwarden emeritus Leslie remains a member of the parochial church council and we look forward to seeing him in his usual place ringing the bells before service.”
Church council member Richard Haste said: “Everybody in the community knows Leslie well.
“He takes the collection and helps look after the churchyard, part of which is a nature reserve.
“He is a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.”
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