AS part of the Diocesan drive to reduce costs, it became financially impossible for Rev Canon Simon Guest to continue as vicar of the Dingestow and Rockfield Group of Parishes.

Having spent over ten years in the benefice, he had hoped to remain there until his projected retirement in 2021. This will now not be possible.

“This surprise news took all of us at the Vicarage some time to digest fully” he said. He went on to say: “One of the hardest things I had to do was inform all the PCC’s of what had taken place and to inform them of the system of Pastoral cover.

“I have promised to keep them fully informed as to my future and the likely time of my departure as well as any likely developments which will directly affect the churches and parishes.”