I'll retire next May the Dean tells his city flock

From the archive, first published Wednesday 28th Sep 2005.

THE Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Marshall, will retire next May after a decade in the role.

He announced the decision yesterday and will officially leave the post on May 31.

Mr Marshall said: "It is difficulty to choose the right time to leave an appointment that has been, for me, such a fulfilling time at one of great cathedrals of England in a welcoming city.

"Retiring in good health, I am looking forward to discover what God has planned for (wife) Nancy and myself, which will include a return to Canada."

The role of Dean of Worcester has seen him serve both the county of Worcestershire and the metropolitan district of Dudley since his appointment in 1996.

He had considered retiring this year but postponed the move to allow the cathedral's Music and Light Appeal - an attempt to illuminate all corners of the building - to take off.

And, although Mr Marshall's retirement aged 65 will see him carrying out community work in Canada, where he has family, he will leave with fond memories of Worcestershire.

"I will take tremendous memories with me and we have always found Worcester a very welcoming city, he said.

"It has a wonderful history and a fantastic setting. It's always difficult to pick highlights but the regular Three Choirs events and the lighting of the Cathedral Chapter House were among them, and it was good to see the end of the major restoration of the outside stonework."

He also listed the on-going `life of the cathedral worship' and meeting people from around the world as satisfying aspects of his position.

His final months in the post will see continued attempts to strengthen the cathedral's financial position and advance the educational programmes and links with schools.

Archive Home