HUNDREDS of people turned out to say farewell to the Rev Peter Brooks and his wife, Andrea, at a special farewell concert organised by Rhayader Players at the leisure centre on Friday, July 29.
Vicar Peter, as he has become affectionately known, is taking up a new post on the Gower peninsular after 10 years serving the people of Rhayader and District.
Peter said: “When I first arrived I still had my L plates on and I was rather nervous, but the people of Rhayader gave Andrea and myself such a warm welcome and the great sense of community in the town and surrounding area was immediately apparent.”
Peter’s ministry covers a huge area and includes the churches of St Bride’s, Cwmdauddwr, Nantgwylt in the Elan Valley, St Cynllo’s, Nantmel, St Mark’s, Ysfa, and St Garmon’s, St Harmon, as well as St Clement’s, Rhayader.
Peter conducted his final service in the parish on Sunday, July 31, at Nantgwylt Church in the Elan Valley.
The farewell concert was opened by the award winning, Rhayader and District Male Voice Choir, who are recognised as one of the best male voice choirs in the country.
They were followed with items from the Young Farmers, Brownies and Guides, St John Ambulance Cadets, the Mother’s Union, who read a poem especially written for the occasion by Jennifer Holland, Rhayader Players and the Voices in Unity Choir.
Following a short interval, when the raffle was drawn there were further contributions from Rhayader WI, Teen Spirit, The Cover Girls and Dance 4 Life with a finale featuring all of the artists and a lot of audience participation.
Vicar Peter and Andrea were invited on stage as everybody sang Jubilate, and flowers were presented to Andrea by young parishioners, Rebecca Rowe and Aled Roberts.
The couple also received a book of memories of Rhayader.
All proceeds from the concert are being donated to charities of Peter’s choice, namely Rhayader St John Ambulance, Air Ambulance Wales and Rhayader and District Home Support.
“I am astonished at the amount of voluntary organisations there are in a town with a population of only 2,000,” he said.
“We have in the hall tonight Rhayader’s voluntary fire fighters, St John Ambulance cadets and many others who give their time, to everything from organising the luncheon club to running the Rhayader museum and gallery.
“The amount of talent on show tonight is also hugely disproportionate for a town of this size.
"It is this sense of community that makes Rhayader such a special place, which I will deeply miss but I promise we will return for holidays in the future.”