DARESBURY’S much-loved vicar is retiring this month after over two decades of dedicated service to the village and surrounding parishes.

Rev David Felix has been ‘a central part of the community’ for the last 22 years, not only as Vicar of All Saints Church, but for his work on multiple parish councils and acting as a school governor.

He has presided over hundreds of christenings, weddings and funerals.

In his time at the church, Mr Felix, 66, has worked as closely as possible with the community, including regular visits to Daresbury Primary School and Moore Primary School, and has even chaired both Sandymoor and Preston Brook Parish Councils.

One of Mr Felix’s stand out memories involves a fly-away parrot, Captain, who managed to escape it’s owner after the steam fair in Daresbury village.

The parrot was high up in the trees in the vicarage and wouldn’t come down.

After four or five days, Mr Felix and the owner found the parrot on the wheel of a car at a local farm after being stopped by the Duke of Gloucester’s security guards who was leaving by helicopter in a nearby fields.

Mr Felix, originally from Slough, described the story as ‘the occasion where Captain the parrot met the Duke of Gloucester’s bodyguard.’

After retiring, Mr Felix and his wife Sally have plans to head back to their original home, the Wirral.

Mr Felix said: ‘‘Being a vicar is a way of life, it’s not a job so it just means that my life is going to take off in a different direction.

‘‘I’d like to thank everyone – all the different villages, Daresbury, Sandymoor, Preston Brook, Preston on the Hill, Hatton and Moore.

‘‘Each of them are very different and it is the church that draws them together.

‘‘I will miss the people the most.’’

Mr Felix’s final service is on July 25 and 10:30am and himself and his wife Sally will be presented with join and individual gifts, depending on Covid restrictions.