Retiring vicar gets bus-shaped cake at farewell party

A cake in the shape of a green bus saw retiring vicar Father Simon Douglas Lane on his way on Saturday.

The retiring vicar of Wraysbury and Horton loves buses and has owned a 1952 double decker bus since 1973.

So the bus-shaped cake was ideal for the occasion as more than 180 parishioners and friends converged on Wraysbury Village Hall to say goodbye to their vicar, all joining in with the song Wheels of the Bus - words artfully changed to suit the guest of honour.

A spoof quiz illustrated Simon's varied activities and interests, including steam trains, bridge, his chaplaincy of the Air Cadets, St Paul's Cathedral - where he officiates once a month - and his piano playing for the local pantomime.

Speeches of thanks were given by the Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead Cllr Colin Rayner - who happens to be the ward councillor - plus churchwardens Angela Inger and Tony Hermes.

Friends at St Andrew's Church, Wraysbury, had already given Simon a painting of the church and a holiday voucher for a UK Orient Express trip. A gift of pottery had been given earlier by regulars at Horton's St Michael's Church.

After cutting the cake, Simon entertained the gathering playing the piano and singing a few humorous 'ditties' before the evening ended with the singing of We'll Meet Again and Auld Lang Syne.

The evening was organised by members of the congregations of St Michael's and St Andrew's, especially Angela Inger and Carolyn Wheeler from St Michael's, Vicki Lipscombe and Anne Munday who came up with the food, Tony Kimber and Ruth Fogg from St Andrew's who ran the quiz, and lots more.