Revd Geoffrey Mitchell celebrates 92nd birthday

Rev’d Geoffrey Mitchell (centre) celebrating his birthday at St Clement's church

A local reverend has celebrated his 92nd birthday.

Revd Geoffrey Mitchell turned 92 years old on Sunday 1 May, where the congregation at St Clement’s, Spotland, presented him with a birthday card signed by everyone in attendance.

Everyone sang ‘happy birthday’ to the reverend before enjoying a slice of chocolate birthday cake.

Born in 1930, Geoffrey was born on the same birthdate as his mother, claiming he was a ‘special present for her’.

After an early career at Crewe Locomotive Works, while working for LNWR (British Rail), as an engineering apprentice, he gained a scholarship to Liverpool University, where his engineering degree eventually led to a career as a lecturer at Salford University in the mechanical and aeronautical department.

Geoffrey, who claims to have been in “the right place at the right time”, also found time to train as an Anglican priest. Ordained in 1959, he became a priest in 1960 and served in the parish of St Peter, in Newbold, Rochdale.

The retired Anglican priest, Revd James Read, now an active parishioner at St Clement’s, added to Geoffrey’s story the fact that Geoffrey had been a member, and also the secretary, of The Salford Prayer Guides (SPG).

Since his retirement some 25 years ago, Geoffrey continued his involvement within the Anglican community and covered, where necessary, for absence, at numerous churches throughout the Diocese of Manchester.

The Revd Sylvia Barron, acting assistant vicar at St Clement’s, reminded everyone of how Geoffrey is such a valued member of the church.