A retired Littleport vicar celebrated 60 years of ordainment during a special Sunday service last weekend. 

Around 90 people gathered at St George's Church in Littleport on May 26 to give thanks for the Venerable David Fleming's six decades as a priest. 

The service was led by the Reverend Natalie Andrews.

Archdeacon Fleming preached using Joe Root to illustrate understanding of the Trinity and emphasised the importance of teamwork in his ministry, before thanking his wife Elizabeth. 

Ely Standard:

After reminding the congregation that they had raised £1560 for the Woodland Trust and for Christian Aid in Sierra Leon, Fleming led the remainder of the Communion Service before providing a buffet lunch. 

A number of cards and presents were given to the Liverpool FC fan and his wife, including a signed photograph of manager Jurgen Klopp.

Born in Norfolk in 1937, David was ordained as a priest in The Church of England in 1964, holding a number of positions in and around Cambridgeshire. 

Although David, who spent a great deal of his ministry in the Ely Diocese and is a Canon of The Cathedral, retired from full-time work in 2001, he still has permission to officiate. 

Ely Standard: David received a signed photograph from Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp.David received a signed photograph from Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp. (Image: Fiona Parker)

Studying at King Edward VII school in Kings Lynn, David served as Chaplain General of HMP Prisons between 1993 and 2001, visiting America, Canada, Nigeria, South African and Italy to help Chaplains in other prisons. 

In 1996, he was appointed Chaplain to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a position he held for almost a decade. 

In 2023, David and Elizabeth took a journey through history, visiting 10 parishes and two prisons that he spent time working in during his ministry.

Ely Standard: David, middle, being commissioned as Chaplain General to the Prison Service with the Archbishop of Canterbury, left, and Bishop of Lincoln, right, in 1993. David, middle, being commissioned as Chaplain General to the Prison Service with the Archbishop of Canterbury, left, and Bishop of Lincoln, right, in 1993. (Image: Fiona Parker)

Shortly after, during the Covid pandemic, he started a thought for the week, and initially printed out 12 copies. 

This continues today, with copies emailed to 400 people weekly. 

Vicar of St George's Littleport, The Reverend Natalie Andrews, said: "We are so blessed to have David’s priestly ministry, wisdom, generosity and humour amongst us at St George’s.

"David and his wife Elizabeth are well respected, active and precious members of our congregation."