A decade of faithful service will end this Autumn when the Ven Dr Anne Dawtry bids farewell to her role as Archdeacon of Halifax.
Her retirement date is Sunday, October 31 and Anne spoke of her pride in helping in the creation of our diocese and of what the future holds.
“By the time of my retirement in October I will have completed ten years as Archdeacon of Halifax. I feel extremely blessed to have served in this role firstly in the former Wakefield Diocese and then, since Easter 2014, in the Diocese of Leeds,” Anne said.
“I am incredibly privileged to have been part of the formation of the diocese and the ways in which we have, together, seen it through its birth and growth into something of which we can be immensely proud.
“It has been a real privilege to have worked as part of Bishop Nick’s Senior Leadership Team and alongside Bishop Jonathan, the area deans and parishes of the Huddersfield Episcopal Area.
“I will continue to keep the diocese in my prayers as I move across the Pennines to Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire.
“In retirement I will of course be looking for new ways of continuing to serve God whilst also having more time to spend with family and friends and for pursuing my hobbies of gardening, landscape photography and writing children’s stories.”
The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, thanked Anne for her many years of service:
“Anne has served the church faithfully over many years, bringing generosity and commitment to her work,” said Bishop Nick.
“She was part of the team that saw the dissolution of the historic dioceses in West Yorkshire and the creation of the new Diocese of Leeds seven years ago.
“She has been an integral part of my staff. We will miss her, but wish her a long and happy – and much-deserved – retirement.”
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gibbs, Bishop of Huddersfield, works alongside Anne in his episcopal area and praised her tireless commitment to all the people in its parishes:
“I would like to express huge thanks to Anne for all that she has done as Archdeacon of Halifax over the last ten years,” said Bishop Jonathan.
“She has worked tirelessly in supporting parishes, both clergy and lay people, through a time of great change in the life of the diocese, especially as the Diocese of Leeds came into being, and her pastoral care has been greatly appreciated.
“I have been particularly grateful for her support to me as a friend and colleague, assisting me to settle into my new role and working together closely to help shape the new Huddersfield Episcopal Area. Anne will be greatly missed by us all and we wish her the very best for her forthcoming retirement.”
