Hundreds of well-wishers attended a celebration farewell service for a highly respected Rector who has left Bridlington after nine years in post.
Reverend Matthew Pollard, who has been the Rector at Bridlington Priory since 2013 when he moved to the town with his wife Adriane, has now taken up a post as Canon Chancellor at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire.
Rev Pollard delivered his final service on Sunday 4 September, with a congregation of hundreds wishing him well for the future and also several presentations.
In his tenure at Bridlington, Rev Pollard introduced the hugely popular pets blessing services at the Priory and also became the Padre for many local veterans groups as well as the RNLI and local primary and secondary schools.
“I have been at the Bridlington Priory for nine years – since 2013 – and I have really enjoyed being here. As a result I have been heavily involved in the community, particularly working across the schools on the north side of Bridlington, including the
primary schools as well as Headlands School, where I have also been a governor.
Huddersfield-born Matthew, came into the ministry at the age of 36, having studied law at Oxford University and then taking up a career as a solicitor in Halifax.
Matthew changed career and was ordained at Wakefield Cathedral after studying for two years at St John’s Theological College in Nottingham.
“At Bridlington Priory we started a lot of events for the wider community, such as pet blessing services, Rock the Priory concerts and made the historic Priory – a place for all the community – somewhere that is available to everyone.
The Priory’s Church Council, supported by the Archdeacon of the East Riding, are in the process of choosing a replacement for Matthew, but it is likely to be several months before a decision is made regarding an appointment to the post.
Services will continue as normal and the Priory team will be on hand to help in any way they can.
