THE minister of Fairplace Church Rev Philip Wagstaff is to leave Okehampton at the end of this month to take up an appointment as superintendent minister in the Crewkerne Methodist Circuit in Somerset.

Rev Wagstaff has been in Okehampton for over 14 years and during that time he has conducted numerous weddings, baptisms and funerals as well as Sunday services both at Fairplace Church and within the West Devon Methodist Circuit churches.

Ann Holland, steward of Fairplace Church Okehampton, said: ‘He has taken a genuine interest in everything and everybody in the town and district, served on many committees and taken part in numerous local events as well as being an avid supporter of local railways.’

Rev Wagstaff was born in Kidderminster in Worcestershire and brought up there. After going to Manchester University he explored the possibility of ordained ministry within the Methodist church. He worked with the Methodist church in Bamber Bridge near Preston for two years.

His interest in rural ministry was piqued after spending a year in Cambridge with his wife Catherine looking after three chapels.

After going to the theological college Queen’s in Birmingham for three years, during which time his son Stephen was born, the family moved to Wimbotsham near Downham Market for five years during which time his daughter Rebecca was born, and then onto Harwich for ten years — five as superintendent. Rev Wagstaff then came to Okehampton to be superintendent of  the West Devon Methodist Circuit in 2001.

Since then, Rev Wagstaff has been involved with community and church groups including the Okehampton Area Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, and Christians Together in Okehampton, Chagford and Devon. He has been chair of the St John Ambulance in Okehampton; Devon Heartlands Community Forum and Devon Rural Network, as well as being a committee member of local community groups. In the circuit he has pastoral responsibility for nine chapels directly.

Rev Wagstaff’s farewell service will take place at Fairplace Church on Sunday, February 28 at 6.30pm, preceded by a bring and share tea. All are invited to come along.