SEVENTEEN years to the day that the rector of Carleton and his wife moved into the village, the couple moved out again into retirement.

Canon Simon and Christine Hoare have become part of the village communities in Carleton and the shared church parish of Lothersdale since first moving here on September 4 1985.

They say they will greatly miss the many people they have got to know through their many connections at the churches, schools and the various trusts linked to the villages.

"We have been very fortunate in that we have been able to live in a magnificent house and work among such friendly people. Many of whom have become good friends," said Canon Hoare.

"The last few weeks have been rather hectic, not only because of all the people we have tried to see before we go, as well as organise our own ruby wedding anniversary celebrations, but because we are moving to a house in Ripon which is a third of the size. We have been selling off a lot of our furniture because it simply will not fit in," he said.

Their new garden, not far from the cathedral where Canon Hoare was ordained, will be much smaller too, around a tenth of the size, yet still big enough for Christine, with her degree in horticulture, to shape as she wishes.

Canon Hoare will return to Carleton later in the month to officiate at a wedding in the village.