HUNDREDS of people gathered at Durham Cathedral to bid a fond farewell to the retiring Dean of Durham.

The ranks of pews in the 900-year-old Shrine of St Cuthbert were packed for a special Valedictory Evensong farewell to the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, Dean of Durham for the past 12 years.

In his final sermon after 40 years in ordained ministry, the 65-year-old drew on the Biblical story of the feeding of the 5,000 to emphasise the importance of “gathering up the fragments so that nothing is lost”.

He said his time in Durham had been “so very happy” and expressed his pride at the ongoing £10m Open Treasure development, the introduction of girl choristers, the 2013 Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition, Lumiere light festival, arts projects and the day-to-day ministry of the Cathedral.

Lessons were read by Sue Snowdon, the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, and Jenny Sadgrove, the Dean’s wife, and afterwards there were four tribute speeches.

Lilian Groves, the Cathedral’s senior steward, praised the Dean’s gift for words and thanked him for his inspirational sermons, warm friendship and invaluable advice. Miss Groves said he had been an outstanding and much-loved Dean, with a gift for listening to people of all ages and walks of life.

Isaac Walton, a former head chorister, said he had played a major part in preserving the Cathedral’s excellent choral tradition.

Dr Margaret Masson, acting principal of Durham University’s St Chad’s College, where the Dean was Rector, highlighted his wider role as Dean of Durham and not just Durham Cathedral, president of St Cuthbert’s Hospice, chaplain to several mayors of Durham and a Deputy Lord Lieutenant.

The Right Reverend Mark Bryant, Bishop of Jarrow, standing in for the ill Bishop of Durham, pointed out how the Dean had embraced modern technology, including becoming a “great Tweeter”.

The entire Cathedral congregation rose to its feet to award a standing ovation as the speeches finished.

The London-born, train-loving grandfather is retiring to Northumberland and hopes to spend time with his family, playing the piano, taking photographs, writing, walking and volunteering.

Canon David Kennedy will serve as Acting Dean until a replacement is named later this year or early next year.