A CORNERSTONE of the town for the last eight years, Haslemere’s first female rector retires next month.

And St Bartholomew’s Church is expected to be packed for Reverend Mary Bowden’s farewell service on Sunday, February 3, at 10am.

It will be Mary’s second retirement. Formerly a high-flying civil servant, she was director of immigration and asylum appeals then regional director of London Magistrates’ Courts before deciding to take early retirement in 2005 – and embrace an even more challenging second career.

Already closely involved with her parish church, she trained to become an ordained local minister, serving as a curate for four years, firstly in Crystal Palace for two years and then in Gipsy Hill in West Dulwich.

When Haslemere parish became vacant, she immediately felt a special bond.

“The idea of Haslemere somehow took hold of me,” she said. “I realised it was where I should be and it has always been the case that this parish was the right place.

“There is hardship in Haslemere and it is a hard place to be when you don’t have money. The fact that it has a foodbank some people think is absurd, but its primary schools tell you there is quite a lot of hardship.

“Compared to the London parishes where I worked, people are much more reluctan to admit they have problems. Th situation is just as bad – but more hidden.

“The main thing I came to do was to bring St Bartholomew’s and St Christopher’s churches closer together. It is now a much more united parish. I’ve also been responsible for Grayswood.

“I’ve worked with some wonderful people and I’ve been very well supported. I’ve loved the times when the whole parish does things together – young and old.

“There will be a big emotional service on my last Sunday. I’m looking forward to my new life in Cheltenham. There are lots of churches and I will decide where I can be useful, but saying goodbye to so many people here will be difficult.”