Shropshire church warden steps down after 35 years

Robert Curtis agreed to become a temporary church warden at St Mary Magdalene Church in Quatford, near Bridgnorth, for a few months in 1984 when the warden at the time died.

He has finally retired from the position 35 years later.

Now known by locals as Bob, the 81-year-old retired plumber moved to Quatford in 1981 and spent years visiting the 933-year-old church before taking on the roll.

He revealed it was a strange turn of events that led him to take the position in the first place.

"Having moved near the church I thought it would be a good idea to pop in which I did fairly regularly," he said.

"In 1984 the warden at the time, George Wood, was on his way back from the official ceremony that declared him warden when he felt unwell, pulled over to the side of the road and died on the spot of a heart attack.

"The vicar asked if I would step in temporarily and I've been there ever since.

"It's a voluntary job that doesn't necessarily take up a lot of time, but it's still quite a big responsibility – a legal responsibility to look after the church.

"Over the years my roles have ranged from preparing the altar, applying for permissions to have extensions and refurbishments carried out, and even being responsible for the service if the vicar didn't turn up."

After spending nearly half his life at the church and acquiring a wealth of knowledge, Bob confessed his face will still be seen among the pews on a regular basis.

"I am a church-goer but that's just a part of it – it's a very historic building with a lot of heritage and I've always been interested in its history," he added.

"I've done a big history project on the church and investigated its past in great depth. There isn't a lot about it I don't know.

"I'll still be going in most Sundays and helping out a little, but I knew it was time to officially retire from the position as the longer I carry on the harder it will be to find a replacement.

"It's been a great time but it's also getting a lot more technological as time moves forward so I think it's time for someone else to take it on."