A FORMER policeman who became a curate is off on a new "beat".
Bob Weldon spent 30 years as a Surrey police officer – before retiring three years ago to work in the church.
Since then he has become a familiar sight amid the Whyteleafe and Chaldon communities, with his dog collar constantly on show.
He served as curate of St Luke's Church, in Whyteleafe Hill, and St Peter and St Paul Church, in Rook Lane, Chaldon.
But on Friday he left for pastures new – having made an "immense" impression on his flock.
Grandfather of one Mr Weldon, 56, who lived in Boxwood Way, Warlingham, has been appointed vicar in the Kent village of Westwell, near Ashford.
He said: "I have loved my time in Whyteleafe and Chaldon, and am leaving some wonderful people behind.
"I've mixed feelings about going."
Mr Weldon said his proudest moments included establishing links with the nearby Whyteleafe Tavern – which has flourished into a weekly senior citizens' lunch club at the pub – and a ministry to Whyteleafe Station.
He added: "I make myself available to chat to commuters.
"One man eventually confided in me that he was undergoing a bit of a mid-life crisis.
"Through gradually talking with me more confidently, we managed to resolve some of his issues."
Back on his first day as a police constable, Mr Weldon was stabbed in the face by a knifeman in Camberley.
He said he tried to put his Christian principles into practice throughout his career – although it was not always easy.
Mr Weldon recalled: "I spent about 30 weeks in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire during the miners' strike. I felt the miners were fighting for their livelihoods, and many of their communities ended up being virtually destroyed.
"I used to give away my food to some of the strikers and play football with them.
"I regret what happened to them."
He also took part in a relief convoy to a Romanian orphanage soon after the country had been freed from communism.
Rev Tim Goode, the vicar for Whyteleafe and Chaldon, said: "We will miss Bob hugely.
"He has made an immense contribution to the parish and has left a lasting legacy with the links to the pub and the pastoral care of commuters.
"He has a huge heart.
"We take big satisfaction knowing he is leaving to take on greater responsibility."
Mr Weldon returned to Whyteleafe on Sunday to preside at his final service, the 9.30am Holy Communion at St Luke's.
Members of both churches gave him a send-off with a shared lunch in St Luke's Hall from 1pm.
