RETIREMENT has been short-lived for a former Crediton Rector.

The Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie, former Rector at Crediton and latterly until retirement, Vicar of St David’s Exeter with St Michael’s Mount Denham, has been licensed as a Priest Vicar for Exeter Cathedral by the Acting Bishop of Exeter.

He will be installed at Choral Evensong at 4pm on Sunday, September 8.

Nigel was Rector of the Crediton Benefice from 2002 until 2018.

During his time at Crediton, he said he had seen, almost, four Bishops of Crediton depart, installed at St David’s by the then Bishop of Crediton, Dame Sarah Mullally, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, before her departure to become the next Bishop of London.

At Crediton he oversaw many exciting projects, including the completion of the Under Gallery at Sandford, the “green” loo at Shobrooke, and redecoration and refurbishments at Yeoford, Posbury and St Lawrence.

At Crediton Parish Church he said the bell project, which saw 10 new bells cast, was a large project for the church, honoured that his name was added to one of the bells.

At his retirement in Crediton he spoke about the strong faith in the community and said he was sure that it would continue with energy, along with the pastoral care and worship.

Looking back he recalled memorable occasions such as the summer and Christmas tree festivals, children’s events, ordinations and confirmations, the visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 2009 and music events including Festival Choruses led by his wife, Tina.

He concluded by saying that it had been an “immense privilege to serve the Crediton community”.

Mr Guthrie was also Rural Dean of the Cadbury Deanery.

He had previously served as Vicar of Chellaston and Rural Dean of Melbourne in Derby Diocese.

Nigel was ordained deacon in Coventry in 1988 and worked at St John the Baptist, and then Coventry Cathedral until moving to Derby in 1994. He was appointed a Prebendary of Exeter Cathedral in 2010 and is a member of Exeter Chamber Choir.

In September 2020 he was appointed a Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen and since her sad passing as Chaplain to the King.