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26

Apr 2022

Last Updated: 26/04/2022
Community
Community

Archbishop of York presents long-service medal in Kirkby Malzeard

by Tim Flanagan

| 26 Apr, 2022
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The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, visited to recognise the efforts of a man who has served the church near Ripon for more than 60 years.

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The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, made a rare visit to St Andrew's in Kirkby Malzeard to honour one of the church's most loyal servants.

In what was the first visit by an archbishop to the church in living memory,  he presented a specially-commissioned silver medal to Chris Slater.

Mr Slater retired from his unpaid role of parish sexton and  verger at the church near Ripon last year.

The award was in recognition of his work over more than six decades, which included meticulously caring for the  grounds at St Andrew's while keeping the building's fabric in good condition and the clock on time.






Mr Slater married his wife Mary at St Andrew's 58 years ago and the church, where they and their daughter Susan were christened, has been supported by the family for decades.

Mr Slater, who is 81, told the Stray Ferret:

"This church has been my life for more than 60 years and I looked after it in the way I have looked after Mary and Susan, with care and devotion, taking great pride in everything I have done there.
"It was a surprise, when I heard that the archbishop was coming to Kirkby Malzeard and I was honoured to receive the long service medal from him."






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As well as looking after the grounds and the fabric of the church, Mr Slater attended, without fail, funerals there while his wife and daughter prepared the church for wedding services.

An indication of his dedication to St Andrew's came in 2003 when he  raised £3,000 with the help of family and friends to pay for the installation of an electronic mechanism to wind the church tower clock and its chimes.

He said:

“Before then, I had to wind the clock twice a week – with hundreds of turns each time – one to keep the clock going and the other to set the chimes. It was hard work.”


The presentation of his medal was made as part of the Plough Sunday service at the church.