IT has been more than marriages and funerals for Harwich’s retiring reverend.

During his nine years as rector of the Harwich peninsula, the Rev Canon Peter Mann has greeted royalty and even been part of a project to get a broken clock ticking again.

But the 63-year-old, who was ordained 39 years ago, has now married his last couple, and on Sunday he will hold his final service.

“It’s a very strange feeling and I have really enjoyed being here,” he said. “I will remember a lot of things.

“The thing about this job is you meet so manypeople and try to help them in so many different ways – either through something like a funeral or a wedding.

“Harwich is a lovely town and it has a remarkable sense of community.”

Mr Mann has continued town traditions, including conducting a special service for the new mayor of the town every May, a service to welcome St Nicholas and Black Peter each Christmas, and Remembrance Sunday services.

He said: “I’ve also overseen lots of events and it’s very nice getting the church involved with the mayors and the town council – I appreciate all they have done. I will fondly remember the Harwich Festival, in particular.”

Mr Mann, who oversawSt Nicholas’ in Harwich, St Michael’s in Ramsey and All Saints in Dovercourt, has also been a part of many important visits to Harwich.

In particular, he recalled a special visit last year to mark the 500th anniversary of Trinity House, of which he is also chaplain.

He said: “I will remember those I have welcomed to the church, in particular Princess Anne, who visited on the anniversary of Trinity House.”

Mr Mann has also overseen renovations to the 200-year-old St Nicholas’ Church, including extensive work to the original bells and repairs to the clock, which stopped ticking for a year.

The father-of-two, who moved to Harwich from Barrow in Cumbria with his wife Janet, is now set to move to Lancashire for his retirement to be closer to his family.

He said: “I have been touched by people’s reaction. It’s difficult to know what to say to someone who is retiring, but people have said they are glad for me.

“People have been extremely kind. I had my final wedding on Saturday, which had some extra poignancy.

“My last service will be on Sunday at 6.30pm at St Nicholas’.”

To mark Mr Mann’s time as chaplain of Harwich and Dovercourt Royal Air Force Association, he was honoured at a monthly branch meeting with a paperweight engraved with the RAFA logo.

Harwich Town Council has also awarded him with a town plaque for his service.