Record breaker

AS the Revd James Cocke celebrates his 80th birthday this month he will also be breaking records by becoming the oldest paid priest in the Oxford diocese.

What is more, he has been the vicar of All Saints Church, Highfield, Headington, for more than half his life, taking up the position 49 years ago.

A parish tea party with colleagues, friends and family will mark the big day on 7 May, followed by a celebratory choral evensong at All Saints where the preacher will be Canon John Fenton, friend and former subdean of Christ Church Cathedral.

Revd Cocke says he has enjoyed serving the parish for so long and has no plans to retire. He is especially proud of the church’s millenium window for which he led fundraising.