Cathedral dean says farewell after 13 years

The dean of Coventry Cathedral has bid farewell ahead of his retirement after 13 years of service.

Staff said thank you and goodbye to the Very Rev John Witcombe with "song and laughter" on Thursday.

He was gifted a reconciliation statue, which the cathedral said was a nod to its global peace-building work.

A tribute posted online said the cathedral was "immensely privileged" to have him as Dean and invited people to join in praying for him as he begins the next chapter of his ministry.

It said: "During his 13 years in post, Dean Witcombe has become a familiar and respected presence not only within the cathedral community but also across Coventry and among international partners connected through the Community of the Cross of Nails."

A series of farewell services will take place over the coming days including the Cathedral Eucharist on Sunday at 10:30 BST, and Choral Evensong on Sunday at 16:00 BST, where Dean Witcombe will preach his final sermon.

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