A LOCAL reverend is to set off on his next adventure after almost three decades serving the South Lakeland community.

Reverend Canon Nigel Davies is leaving for Salisbury Cathedral to become vicar of the close next week.

"Nigel Davies was inducted as vicar of St Oswald’s Burneside on April 29, 1991, little did we know that he was to become the longest serving incumbent of recent times," said Liz Bingham, church warden, St Oswald's Church.

"This of course makes it all the more difficult for the parish to see him go.

" He is probably the most conscientious and hardworking of all the incumbents during the past fifty years that I have been a member of St Oswald’s congregation.

"He has endeared himself to all in the village and has supported many organisations."

In 2006 Canon Nigel was installed as honorary canon at Carlisle Cathedral and made rural dean of Kendal.

The following year he was appointed team rector for the beacon team which united the parishes of Burneside, Grayrigg, Longsleddale, Skelsmergh, Selside and St George's Kendal.

During his time in the parish he has been the instigator of many improvements to St Oswald’s Church building and is well known for wearing an earring.

Nadine Scott, church warden, St Oswald’s Church, said: “He has been a wonderful support to people, especially at times when life has been difficult for them.”

Canon Nigel completed his training at Salisbury and Wells Theological College, where he met his wife, the Reverend Jayne Tyrer, who was ordained priest at Carlisle Cathedral in 1995 and has served as hospital chaplain to Westmorland General Hospital for many years.

They have three children, Joseph and daughters Lydia and Emily, who were both baptised at St Oswald's.

"It has always been a great pleasure working with the communities and groups," said Canon Nigel.

"I trained in Salisbury and that's where I met my wife, so I have an affection for the town and I thought it a nice way to come full circle.

"I'll be sad to go, but within the parishes there are so many able people who are willing to make the effort, so the communities I've been serving are in good hands."

"Both he and Jayne go with our very best wishes for the future. They will of course be sorely missed," added Ms Bingham.