A MALVERN priest is leaving the town this week after worked here for seven years.
Father Raphael Appleby will leave St Joseph's Church, in Newtown Road, to return to his community of Benedictine monks in Downside Abbey, Somerset.
He described his time at St Joseph's as "the happiest period of my life" and said he would be sad to leave.
Father Raphael was involved in the modernisation of the church in 1998, for which it won the Malvern Civic Award.
His post will be temporarily filled by Father Anseln Brumwell, also from Downside Abbey, until Father Paul Chamberlain takes over in September.
Father Raphael's message to Father Paul sums up his experiences over the last seven years.
He said: "You lucky man, you're taking over the nicest parish in the world."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article