Farewell to the Rev'd Robb and Lindy. May this website, on behalf of the village, wish you both a happy and long retirement.

After the services last Sunday, at both Bishop Monkton and Burton Leonard churches, Robb announced to the congregations that he would be leaving his post as Associate House for Duty Priest next April.

This announcement was shortly followed by an email to all parishioners and friends of the church in which Robb stated “I have spoken already with Dean John and Bishop Anna and, before Christmas, I will finalise the date for my leaving service which will probably be late next April”.

The email went on “Lindy and I have immensely enjoyed our time here with all our parishioners and will not be moving far away as our retirement home will be in West Tanfield. We shall still play croquet, and, in my case, poker, here in Bishop Monkton. Thank you for all the kindness and love that you have shown us during our five + years with you all”.

Robb was officially licensed to his post at a service in Ripon Cathedral on October 5th, 2020, having come to the village that year on August 13th, when lockdown regulations had just been relaxed in England. He and Lindy moved from Tenby, a place where they had lived for eight years, where they still have many friends, where Lindy is still involved with the Trefoil Guild for ex-Guide leaders and where they intend to go “far more often, says Robb”, after he retires. They also hope to spend more time in Denmark, a country they know well, having visited during the summer months for many years.

During his time here Robb has been very involved with the primary schools in both villages and is very quick to express his admiration for both Headteachers. He says he has enjoyed working with them, conducting weekly assemblies and watching the pupils developing a real interest in taking part, especially in the monthly Children-Led services in each church. The choir from Bishop Monkton School have always been a welcome addition at the church's monthly coffee mornings whenever they perform.

Says Robb ”I leave knowing that I have helped the children develop a basic understanding of the Bible stories and an underpinning of Christianity”.

Lindy and Robb celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in August this year and have two sons and four granddaughters. One son lives in Harrogate and the other in Coalbrookdale near Ironbridge.

The couple have been involved with the local community. Lindy, a wonderful baker-who will ever forget her fabulous pineapple fruit cake -is secretary of the Croquet Club. Her baking skills are, dare we say it “legendary”, and she has always been happy to invite people into her own kitchen for a baking lesson or two. Having gained an MA in IT Management she currently works two days a week as a business consultant.

Lindy says ”It has been fabulous to be involved with these two villages and their wonderful residents. We are looking forward to the future, but, at the same time, sad to be leaving it behind us”.

However, the couple are not moving far away, just to West Tanfield, although Lindy is not quite sure how they will fit all their belongings and everyday clutter collected over many years into a small three bedroomed property with no garage. Anyone who has ever seen inside the vicarage garage will understand her concerns, concurs Robb.

Robb and Lindy say they have every intention of staying in touch and they will, after all, still be around until next Spring.