A member of the hospital chaplaincy team in West Cumbria has retired after 28 years.
The team gathered at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven last week to say farewell to the Rev Ken Wright, 87, who has been in the Chaplaincy team for 28 years.
He is well known at Workington and Cockermouth community hospitals. He was presented with an engraved terracotta pot filled with a Christmas Rose and other gifts, as well as a letter of gratitude from chief executive Lyn Simpson.
She said: “I know that you have been a stalwart in supporting the community hospitals of Maryport, Workington, Cockermouth and latterly the West Cumberland Hospital.
“I am absolutely certain that there will be a multitude of patients, their friends and families, who have valued your compassion, kindness and support through trying times.
“I hope you will look back on your time with us with pride and satisfaction in a job well done. We will miss you greatly and we wish you good health and contentment as you embark on a new chapter.”
Ken was made king the for day, an honour to mark his retirement and his birthday. His retirement cake was a Gallette des Rois (An Epiphany King’s Cake).
Ken said: “I certainly had a farewell I won’t forget! It was very embarrassing, but also very humbling.
“I realised that after 28 years there aren’t many who have been chaplains for longer. Thank you for all your efforts to make it memorable – it certainly was! There is a lot I’ll miss but it is time I retired and my wife is delighted.”
