Written and published by the Henley Herald on 20th May 2025
Reverend Duncan Carter who has been the vicar at Holy Trinity Church in Greys Hill for 35 years officially retired on Sunday with two special services and a fond farewell retirement party.
Duncan was inducted in November 1990 after moving from Oxford to take on the role. He moved to Henley just after his first daughter, Rachel was born, she was followed by three siblings Sarah, Thomas and Izzy who were all at the party along with Duncan’s 3 grandchildren. When he first arrived, the first major thing Duncan he had to do was to raise a large amount of money to fix the leaking church roof!
As well as being a vicar, Duncan has also been involved in many organisations in the town including being a Trustee of Trinity Hall, Nomad, Henley Municipal Charities, President of Trinity Hall Rifle Club (although never lifted a rifle), Chair of Governors of Trinity School as well as Area Dean of 16 churches and moderator of Churches Together in Henley.
Duncan said, “Henley has been my home for more than half my life and it has been so special to me. I have happy memories getting to know so many friends down the years – wider family members in the church community but also people from across the wider community. I shall miss stopping for a chat each time I walk into town.”
He recalls some very funny events including a phone call received from a newly married bride on her honeymoon – asking me not to submit her marriage document (all turned out OK). A coffin that wouldn’t fit in the grave. A communion service when the new Archbishop of Canterbury was appointed and inadvertently praying for Rowan ‘Atkinson’ instead of Rowan ‘Williams’. He said, “This was exacerbated by knowing that a writer from the Church times was in the congregation and by the fact that I couldn’t get out of my head the thought of Mr Bean leading the CofE!”
Mike Hails, Secretary of Churches Together gave a humorous and tuneful speech, “We’ve been together for 35 years and, it doesn’t seem a day too much. Since that evening in November 1990 when Duncan was inducted. I wonder if he’s ever thought (singing) “Will you still need me? Will you still feed me when I’m 65?” He then went on to talk about Duncan being a veteran collector (singing) “If you go into the Vicarage today, you’ll be in for a big surprise. If you go into the Vicarage today. Be sure to go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was, that was gathered there, today’s the day the teddy bears might be moving.”
Daughter Rachel, spoke about hers and her siblings’ memories of growing up. She said, “The thing that really shines through is just the sense of community, friendship and support. Love and all of those lovely things. She recalled one of hers and her siblings favourite traditions after the Christingle service each year was to see who could get their Christingle back to the vicarage without the candle blowing out. Inevitably, they all blew out and they had to return to the church to ask Duncan to relight them which he always duly did despite trying to continue to wish everyone a Happy Christmas as they left the church!
Church Warden, Michael Forsdike presented Duncan with two gifts. He said, “On behalf of your church family and others we thank you for 35 years of selfless service and dedication to all those who worship here at Trinity, whether regularly on Sundays or just for special occasions, past and present and those who you have reached out in the wider community.” Duncan thanked Michael for his service to the church, and added, “Personally he has been such a rock.”
Sam Brewster will be taking over as Rector. He has been working alongside Duncan for the last eight months. He said, “I can’t think of many other vicars who would be so open handed and open hearted in that whole process. The foundations upon which we are continuing to build for the years ahead. There’s a large part down to the Godly character that Duncan has exhibited these last few years, and I consider it a huge privilege to be the next night vicar of the Trinity Church.” He read out a poem he had written which started, “Always kind and always calm, Got a problem? No alarm! Duncan’s here to lend an ear, His gentle words will soothe your fear.” Click here to read poem.
Duncan said, “As I said in my sermon it is like attending your own funeral. People say all nice things about you and you wish you were there. The lovely thing today has been people coming back and you realise not only how influential you are in their lives but how much they have meant to you down the years. It’s lovely to have all my own family here. It was a surprise to have Rachel here who travelled all the way from Cornwall. It’s been other people who have come along today which is really special. It’s multi-generational. I’ve met people who I remember being born who I’ve gone on to marry. The last thing I’m going to do at the end of May is to do Lauren Herrington’s wedding and I remember marrying her parents in 1993. You are very aware that you are involved people’s lives at very special times. Huge joy like birth of children and weddings and huge sadness and it’s such a privilege to be there and speak of Jesus’ love for people in all different circumstances. Our service today is reflecting on how God doesn’t wait for us to be ready for him but he is there for us when we most need him.”
Asking him about his veteran collection past time and his move to Gloucester. He has hundreds of teddy bears including Stieff bears. Duncan commented, “I used to restore teddy bears and then started collecting them along with cins, postcards and Henley history. “A lot has to go as I’m moving into a tiny house in Gloucester but I think once you’re a collector you’re always one. I love the history and I like putting things together but at the end of the day I know it is just stuff and you can’t take it with you, so I need to enjoy and/or pass it on to other people. I don’t know anything about Gloucester, so I’m going to explore and find a new church. I’d love to do some more walking as it is a great passion. I’m moving near by sister so it will be a chance to catch up with families. Normally I would be working at major holidays so it will be nice to spend time with my family on these special days.”
