St John's Minster bells ring goodbye to Father Timothy Lipscomb

Church bells rang out in Preston heralding Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb's final Sunday service at St John's Minster yesterday.
The Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in PrestonThe Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in Preston
The Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in Preston
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Vicar of vroom set to roar off

The popular vicar of Preston was given a fitting send-off from members of his congregation with St George’s Occasional Singers singing in the choir and a gift of an iPad pro.

Speaking after the packed service on receiving the present he said: “Don’t just disappear out of my life will you? There will always be a glass of gin if you are passing by.

The Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in PrestonThe Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in Preston
The Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in Preston
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“You never know, we may meet in the most extraordinary places.

“Look after my churches here, don’t let them put graffiti on them.”

In his retirement Fr Timothy will be moving to Old Colwyn in North Wales. He will remain a vicar, but is looking forward to taking time out for holidays – his last two-week break being 10 years ago when he visited Barcelona.

And what holiday is he looking forward to now that his new-found freedom is within sight?

The Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in PrestonThe Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in Preston
The Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb with members of St Georges Occasional Singers following his final Sunday service at St Johns Minster in Preston
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“Doing Indian cookery in a Maharajah’s palace,” said the vicar.

He added: “I’m also going to start a business called Canon Fodder, hosting cocktail parties and dinner parties.

“I’m looking forward to discovering weekends and not having to rush from pillar to post. It will be so nice not to having to be late for everything,” said the Fr who identifies with the White

Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, known for rushing about muttering ‘I’m late, I’m late’.

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Sunday’s service ended with a standing ovation and the organist playing Widor Toccata, symphony No.5.

Goodbye: Rev Canon Timothy Lipscomb officially retires from his role of vicar of Preston with a final Mass in tomorrow evening.It takes place at St John’s Minster at 7pm.