A LONG-SERVING York Minster employee is to retire next month, after 30 years’ service.

Adrian Hodges, buildings and services manager for the works department, joined the Minster team in the 1970s, then after a period of working elsewhere, returned in May 1985 as a foreman electrician.

In October 1996, he became the assistant to the superintendent of works with responsibility for health and safety, and in January 2009 became the buildings and services manager.

Mr Hodges has been involved in many projects including the installation of the Queen Mother Bells, the restoration of the Great West Door, and the redesign of the Stoneyard following the December 2009 fire.

Rebecca Thompson, Minster superintendent of works, said: “We appreciate Adrian’s hard work and commitment, we will miss his ideas, energy, humour and singing.”