A VICAR whose sermons were known by many as ‘legendary, poignant and passionate’ has died at the age of 73.

Rev David Hampson came to his first parish at Crosscrake in 1978, where he stayed for nearly two decades before moving on to Arnside.

At Crosscrake he worked on reintroducing old traditions, including Christingle.

Having trained for the priesthood at Chichester Theological College, his decision to enter the ministry was inspired during his time at Ashton Grammar School.

As a teenager he discovered a love for singing as well as acting and his talents were soon called upon by the Sedgwick Players.

Over the years his vicarage became the hub of village life, where just about every group met and thrived thanks to his exceptional hospitality and encouragement.

Outside of the church Rev Hampson spearheaded a mercy mission which saw him and a small group of friends travel twice to the old Soviet Union under the banner of Crosscrake Relief Aid.

On his travels Rev Hampson also went to Uganda, after the harsh Idi Amin era, when so many people were on the brink of survival following two brutal dictatorships.

Under the Church Fellowship Outreach, he and midwife Elizabeth Swarbrick visited and succeeded in getting people to take in some of the millions of orphaned children in dire need.

After his time at Crosscrake and Arnside, Rev Hampson took early retirement after falling ill.

He bought a cottage in Lindale and found great happiness preaching at Cartmel Priory.

After the death of his mother Gertrude, he returned to his home town in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Surrounded by the old familiar keepsakes and his memories, Rev Hampson died on December 6, 2019.

His funeral service was held at St Thomas’ Church, Crosscrake on December 17, 2019.