HOWARD Rowe will be retiring as City Centre Chaplain in Winchester at the end of April.

He has served in this role for the last ten years, visiting staff in the shops and businesses of the city, as well as the city council and the police station, listening, supporting and encouraging people when they need it.

Over this time he has built up a team of 12 volunteer chaplains, drawn from seven of the city’s churches and has also supported new initiatives, including a Mums’ chaplain and a team of four chaplains based in the Law Courts.

Howard will be succeeded by Debbie Veel, who will take up her new role in May.

Howard said: "When I first started being a workplace chaplain in 2007, I thought I might possibly last a year. It’s now ten years later, so you can tell how much I’ve enjoyed the job, serving those who work in Winchester shops, offices and the City Council. My wife is retiring at the same time as me and we have lots of plans to do new things together. I’m thrilled at the appointment of Debbie Veel as my successor. She is exactly the right person to do this job."

Although Howard will be retiring as City Centre Chaplain, he will continue to serve his local church and community as a Licensed Lay Minister in King’s Somborne.