The Methodist superintendent of the Airedale circuit is leaving to take up a post on the North York Moors.

The Reverend Jacky Hale, who oversees 19 churches in the Airedale circuit, has held her final service at Silsden Methodist Church.

Mrs Hale, 61, minister at Silsden, Farnhill, Haworth and Marsh Methodist churches, has been appointed as superintendent of 29 churches in the Ryedale circuit, based at Helmsley.

Mrs Hale, right, said things had changed since she became superintendent of the South Craven circuit in 2005.

“I came to a much smaller circuit of eight churches,” she said. “We eventually joined with Keighley and Worth Valley to form the Airedale circuit, which initially had 21 churches before the Bethel Chapel at Lothersdale and Wesley Place at Ingrow closed.

“There were a variety of challenges being in a larger circuit, such as having a small number of staff spread so thinly. That’s why it’s so important to work together with the lay people. It’s not the ministers that keep the church going, it’s the people in the church. They’ve been so caring and trusting – I’ve been very fortunate.”

Mrs Hale, who was a lecturer before becoming a minister 13 years ago, said she felt “great joy” when the new church building opened at Silsden in 2010.

However, she said it would be the “people, not the places” she will miss the most.