LONG-SERVING vicar Rev Derek Birch, who had a 32 year career at Silkstone All Saints’ Church before continuing his work through his retirement, has died aged 84.
Originally from Bolton in Lancashire, he came to Yorkshire as a curate at South Elmsall before moving to Penistone in the same role.
He became vicar at Silkstone after that and stayed in the village for 32 years, though in retirement continued with his work in the ministry and was involved in his last service at St Peter’s Church, Doncaster Road, several weeks before his death on Sunday in the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield.
During his retirement he was involved in taking services across the diocese but developed a particularly close bond with the church at Ryhill.
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