VILLAGERS near Alresford are coming together following the retirement of their vicar.

Rev Royston Such has stepped down from St Peter’s church in Ropley some 21 years after the parish was split following his divorce and marriage to his curate Tana Riviere.

The rift never healed and some parishioners have held monthly alternative services in the village hall, attracting national headlines.

Now both groups are joining to worship at the village hall following the fire last June that severely damaged St Peter's. The alternative services have now ceased.

The issue is still a sore subject in Ropley with many people unwilling to publicly discuss it.

One villager, who asked not to be named, said: “I think many people are a bit embarrassed it has lasted so long.”

Norma Day, one of the churchwardens at St Peter’s, said: “We feel this is a positive step for building a strong church community in the village. People talk about rebuilding the church. Actually the church is still here. The church is the people.”

Rodney Skinner, of Town Close, Ropley, who left St Peter’s following Mr Such’s remarriage, said: “We all want to put the past behind us now and get on with things. The issue hadn’t gone away but people didn’t talk so much about it.

“I think reconciliation has started already. The Christingle service on January 4 was packed out with people from both sides.”

Mr Such who has moved from Ropley was unavailable for comment.

A part-time priest, Rev Stephen Wilson, will be working until Easter in the benefice, that covers Bishop’s Sutton, Ropley and West Tisted.

The 800-year-old church was gutted by the blaze last summer. Estimates at a rebuilding are around £2.5m with villagers  hoping to raise £250,000 themselves.