'We will be sad to say goodbye' (From Borehamwood Times)

'We will be sad to say goodbye'

4:40pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Amie Mulderrig

Husband and wife team William and Annie Hogg, who have served the parishes of Aldenham, Radlett and Shenley as vicar and assistant curate respectively, are to retire.

Since moving to Radlett eight years ago from Bromborough Chester Diocese in Liverpool, the duo have thrust themselves into village life, becoming popular figureheads in the community.

Mr Hogg, 62, has worked as vicar of Radlett and Team Rector of the parishes of Aldenham, Radlett and Shenley, while Mrs Hogg has acted as assistant curate and volunteer, teaching religious studies part time at Edge Grove School in Aldenham Village.

The pair are now set to retire from their duties at the end of September, moving to Perthshire in Scotland, where Mrs Hogg is originally from, at the end of October.

Reverend Hogg, of Church Field, said: “When the position became available in Radlett we were keen to take it because we had family, three sons and a daughter, down in London and we wanted to be nearer them. I’m from the South East originally as well.

“Radlett also wasn’t far from where Annie and I got engaged in 1974 – Northwood, so it seemed a lovely idea to come back to Hertfordshire.

“We’ve had a wonderful time here, Radlett is a great place to live and work.

“From the ecumenical side, Radlett is a place that is very interfaith, so linking up with other groups such as the local synagogue has been very rewarding, as  has pulling together with the other churches in the various parishes. I have also enjoyed combining youth work with my role.”

Mrs Hogg, said they were both very sad to be leaving the village.

She added: “We’ve made some great friends here, Radlett is a very community- minded place and we will be sorry to go.

“It’s a very lively parish and there is never a dull moment.

“As for leaving Edge Grove, I am very sad to say goodbye to the students.

When we moved here I thought I had given up teaching. I used to work as an English teacher, but in the end I became involved teaching religious studies, which was something of a surprise, as I thought I would just be an assistant curate. But it’s been a very rewarding experience, one that I have relished.

“I have very fond memories of our time in the village, my daughter got married at Christ Church, and of our Hertfordshire in general, I worked alongside Cannon Dick Lewis at a Watford care home for a spell.

“We will be sad to say goodbye.”

Mr and Mrs Hogg will mark their departure with a church service on September 30, which will also celebrate the Harvest Festival.

As for their retirement, the couple intend to spend as much time as possible visiting family and travelling to Italy and Sweden, where two of their children and family now live.

Reverend Hogg said: “You never really retire from the church, so I do expect to be called on from time to time in Perthshire.

“We have a home there already and we’re looking forward to getting to know people a bit more.

“We will always be part of the Episcopalian church and we will have to see if the bishop has any plans for us in Scotland.”