Fond farewell as vicar Penny retires (From Falmouth Packet)

Fond farewell as vicar Penny retires

2:00pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News

This week marks the retirement of a familiar face in the parishes of Breage, Godolphin and Germoe after ten and a half years.

Rev Penny Prince took her final service in Breage on Sunday evening, ahead of her move to Carbis Bay for some well deserved free time. To help send her on her way singing, pupils at Breage Church of England School, where Vicar Penny has been chairman of the governors, threw her a celebratory tea party and concert to which were parents, governors and friends of the school were invited.

Children performed a medley of songs, poems and dances including a specially written song, Penny Prince, set to the tune of the Beatles classic Penny Lane.

There was also a special song and dance rendition of the song So Long, Farewell from the Sound of Music, which was described by Vicar Penny as “a tear jerker.”

She said: “They did brilliantly.”

Vicar Penny was presented with flowers and a photo mug of the children to help her remember the school, with the staff also giving her money as a gift.

Headteacher Andrew Orme said: “We have been so lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Vicar Penny over the last ten years. This afternoon’s festivity is a celebration of our time together, although tinged with sadness as we say good bye to her.”

Vicar Penny said she would miss the people of the parishes, both in the churches but also the schools and villages, adding: “I love them dearly. I’d really like to say my thanks to them for taking me into their hearts and lives and letting me be a part of spreading the Gospel here in this area. “I’ve been so grateful for their generosity and openness of spirit.” She said her work with the schools was amongst her proudest moments, and she would remain an associate governor at Breage. Upon moving to Carbis Bay Vicar Penny plans to help out occasionally at the Anglican church St John in the Fields. The majority of her time will be spent enjoying her hobbies, however, which include Honiton lace making and singing with Penzance Choral Society.