FORDINGBRIDGE’S “pink vicar” will be bidding farewell and heading to pastures new.

Reverend Rachel Noel, who has been the Assistant Curate of the Avon Valley Partnership for four years, is moving to St Mark’s Church in Pennington.

She will hold her final service in St Mary’s Church, Fordingbridge on Sunday (May 20), 11am, which will be followed by a bring and share lunch, which all are welcome to attend.

Rachel said: “I’m excited to be moving to Pennington, although sad to say farewell to Fordingbridge. As my life is deeply rooted in prayer and scripture, out of which life, community and relationship flow, I’m looking forward to getting to know and love the people of Pennington and Lymington.”

The Avon Valley Partnership covers the parishes of Fordingbridge, Hyde, Breamore, Hale and Woodgreen.

Rachel has inspired community yarn bombs for Remembrance and Easter, organised a community wide Easter Passion Play, developed a holiday lunch activity club, in conjunction with the Foodbank to support local families, the Queens 90th birthday celebrations and many other initiatives.

And through Rachel’s work, Fordingbridge is now a Toilet Twinned Town, with more than 30 toilets twinned across churches, schools, community buildings, pubs, cafes and homes.

The monies raised are enabling Toilet Twinning, a partnership between development agencies Cord and Tearfund, to help some of the 2.5 billion people worldwide who lack decent sanitation.

Former Fordingbridge mayor, Malcolm Connolly, said: “We, at Fordingbridge, are very glad for all that Rachel has contributed to our community.

“We have all benefited from her pastoral approach to the many projects that she has created for us to participate in.

“Her colourful, creative, presence and enthusiasm will be missed, however we wish Rachel continued success and joy in her new appointment in Pennington.”

Rachel will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge at St Mark’s Church in Pennington on Monday, June 18, 6.30pm.