THERE was an emotional goodbye recently as Alcester Baptist Church’s pastor, the Rev Alastair Aird hung up his dog collar to retire to pastures new.

Mr Aird, who is originally from Scotland, celebrated his last weekend as pastor after nine years in Alcester, with a retirement party and a ‘This is Your Life’ presentation.

Church secretary John Thompson, said: “Reverend Aird and his wife Ruth are moving to Beccles in Suffolk. They have lived in Alcester for nine years and have been very active both in the church and in the local community. They will be much missed by their many friends.”