by Nathan Rao

Assistant curate the Rev Valerie Haynes will deliver her last service in the town this weekend before moving on to pastures new.
She said she will remember her time on “this unique Island” with fondness and, if she had to make a criticism, – the mushy peas are not quite up to scratch.
Ms Haynes, assistant curate of Sheerness and Queenborough, will deliver her last service at Holy Trinity Church Sheerness on Sunday.
She has been on the Island for four years and said although it was hard to adjust to life on Sheppey at first she will be sorry to leave.
She said it took time for her to “learn the language” and for Islanders to get used to her.
“Initially getting to know the people on the Island who have a very different culture was hard,” she said.
“But everyone has been so welcoming and, after they became used to me and I became used to them, it was wonderful. They have accepted me and since then we have laughed together and we have cried together.
“This is certainly a unique Island. I came as an outsider and have been declared by one person as an official Swampie, and that is a great compliment.
“If I had to make a criticism of the Island, you can’t get decent mushy peas here, certainly not like you can up north.”
Ms Haynes, 55, who came to the Island after studying theology at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, said a highlight has been taking part in traditions that she has not seen anywhere else.
She said: “The blessing of the waters and Wildfire III parade to remember the Queenborough-based minesweepers during the Second World War are unique to the Island and it has been a privilege being part of them.
“I think people will also remember me for my Christingle services with the toys I used to bring out. People would wonder which toys I would use at the service.”