Villagers say thank-you as Elm church warden Cynthia Brown retires after 22 years

Parishioners in a Fenland village surprised their retiring church warden with a presentation as she stepped down from the role after 22 years.

Cynthia Brown, who celebrated her 75th birthday on Wednesday, announced nearly two years ago she was looking to retire and gave the parochial church council in Elm a year's notice.

But despite the 12 months' warning and with no one willing to step into her shoes and take on the voluntary role Cynthia soldiered on, that is until February when she once again announced her wish to retire.

Her decision prompted an emergency meeting, just before lockdown in March, to discuss the future of Elm's historic All Saints Church with the hope of attracting more volunteers to help keep it going.

Cynthia was heartbroken at the thought the church might be forced to close if no one was willing to take on the job as church warden, and that other volunteers could not be found to help with other roles such as verger, which Cynthia also undertook.

Thankfully at the 11th hour Jane Feaviour-Clarke, Cynthia's deputy, agreed to become the new church warden and she was sworn in at the annual parochial church council meeting.

"I was really panicked that no one would come forward, so I am so grateful to Jane for stepping up. There is still much to discuss and organise. We have yet to pay our full parish share this year, which must be a priority.

"But it is difficult as the pandemic means we have no funerals, baptisms or weddings which provide our income. However, I am sure we will get there.

"They are looking at making the church into a community asset, which has been done in other parishes, but it is not going to happen over night. It took me 10 years to get the community room and toilet built after we sold the church hall, so it is going to take time.

"I just hope it can remain as a church for future generations," said Cynthia.

She was pleasantly shocked at her last Sunday service in charge as church warden to receive a presentation from Jane on behalf of church members and villagers.

"I really wasn't expecting anything. But it seems people had been busy organising a collection and contacting everyone to get a contribution, which is so kind. How they managed to keep it all a secret from me, I don't know, but it certainly was a surprise," added Cynthia, who received a £250 holiday voucher, flowers, a framed montage of photos of the church and also a nice bottle of wine.

"I'm really looking forward to arranging my holiday. I'm not sure where I shall go, but it will certainly be nice to get away," concluded Cynthia, who thanked everyone for their generosity, and promised to be on standby to offer advice if needed.