Popular lay clerk in the Anglican tradition Keith Lloyd says farewell to the island

Popular lay clerk in the Anglican tradition and an ex Royal British Legion chairman, Keith Lloyd will leave the island with his wife Betty last week to live in the UK- but they havevowed to return for holidays. 

Mr Lloyd has officiated at more than 350 TRNC ceremonies including wedding blessings, renewals of wedding vows, naming ceremonies for babies and funerals since he and Betty moved to the TRNC in 2003.

I have many happy memories of those ceremonies which were always humorous, reverent and meaningful, he said. 

I even blessed a Christmas Day wedding for a Hindu groom and a Jewish, Latvian bride and we often had to dive into the crypt or restaurant at Bellapais ceremonies due to rain.

I have seen some brides the worse for drink or couples that were so in love they were all over each other! My last was a twilight blessing two weeks ago for a Lancashire couple.

Since 2004, I have averaged around 25 wedding blessings each year and 30-40 funerals.

The former journalist and contributor to Cyprus Todaysaid: "Our medical advisors told us to leave in the Spring but we have enjoyed one last summer here and will be very sad to go.

I will be 78 in December, Betty celebrates her 80^th in March and we have our 60^th diamond wedding anniversary coming up in January next year.

Source: Cyprus Today