THE POPULAR vicar of a Hartlepool church is retiring after 22 years.
Fr. Stephen Locke (65) and his congregation led the way to St. James Church, on Owton Manor’s Rossmere Way, becoming a dementia friendly environment and, in his last Parish, was also Chaplain for the Deaf.
Fr. Locke delivered his final sermon on Sunday, 30 August.
Members of the community, who praised his invaluable contribution, were pleased to learn that Fr. Locke and his wife Viv will continue to live in Hartlepool, a town they both love.
