SUPERINTENDENT of the West Devon Methodist Circuit Andrew Sowden from Okehampton will be moving on to pastures new later this year when he takes up a new post in Tintagel.

The Rev Sowden came to Okehampton seven years ago and as well as Fairplace Church in Okehampton he has been in charge of Methodist churches in Belstone, Sticklepath, South Zeal, Throwleigh, Sampford Courtenay and North Tawton.

His final service will be on Easter Sunday after which he will take a three month sabbatical before taking over as the superintendent Methodist minister of Tintagel and Camelford.

He said it was the right time to move on but would continue to keep in touch with all the friends he and his wife Elizabeth had made over the past seven years.

'Tintagel is not that far away,' he said. 'The people of the area have been very friendly to us during our time in Okehampton and quite a bit has happened including the refurbishment of Fairplace Church.'

Rev Sowden, who has been chairman of Christians Together in Okehampton for the last 12 months, has been at the forefront of the fundraising campaign for the church refurbishment which began back in 1996. The £425,000 scheme has included works to the interior and the chapel entrance.

'It has been nice to see the refurbishment through to its completion,' said the minister. 'Everybody seems to be very pleased with it so that is good.'

The amalgamation of the Methodist and United Reformed Chapel in North Tawton was also something Rev Sowden was very much involved with.

His successor will be the Rev Philip Wagstaff, who is currently in charge of the Harwich and Manningtree circuit in Essex.