METHODIST minister John Graham is retiring after 36 years in the Church but is considering getting a paper round to keep him occupied when he hangs up his dog collar.
The 66-year-old will give his final sermon at Christ Church in Hanworth Road, Feltham on Sunday July 19 before moving to Bournemouth to spend more time by the sea.
Rev Graham has been a minister to Christ Church, Southville Methodist Church in Bedfont Lane and Ashford Common Methodist Church for six years and has also occasionally conducted services at St Dunstan's Church in Feltham.
He has performed 380 funerals in that time, baptised triplets and has overseen the Christ Church centenary celebrations this year.
And, retiring after a particularly busy year, Rev Graham is unsure of how he will fill his free time.
“I have been thinking of getting a part-time job or doing voluntary work. I'm going to be living next to a newsagents so don't be surprised if I get myself a paper round,” he said. “To begin with this summer I hope to get on the beach a bit because that's where I spent my time as a child.”
Rev Graham was born in Lincolnshire and his previous church was in Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire but he said he will miss the people of Feltham as much as anywhere else.
“I have got to know a lot of people in Feltham who don't come to church. I like to be out there in the community – I think it's important. I will find it very strange not to have that when I retire.
“Members of the congregation keep telling me they are coming down to Bournemouth to see me and I am sure some of them will call on us.”
A leaving service for Rev Graham is being held at Christ Church on Sunday July 19 at 6.30pm and all are welcome to attend.
