Eastleigh MP pays tribute to retiring Baptist minister Martin Poole

9.45.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Jul 2008

Eastleigh Baptist minister Martin Poole was praised in a special service at the Baptist Church in Wells Place to mark his retirement after five years in the town.

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne said that the Rev Poole had been a benign and dynamic force in the community bringing wisdom, energy and compassion to the job.

"Martin has wholeheartedly backed the town partnership and attended many meetings and always been very supportive of the initiatives to improve our town and strengthen a vibrant community. Martin has been minister for five years and has been a benign and dynamic force bringing wisdom, energy and compassion to the job" said Mr Huhne.

"Martin embedded the Church in work with young people in Eastleigh. Any residual fustiness that might have put off young people from coming into the centre and church has been well and truly dispelled.

"Martin brought on board Chris Walker as youth outreach worker. Martin has done numerous assemblies and forged fantastic connections with schools. The feedback from schools has been brilliant shown by the cards and tributes that they have brought to say goodbye to Martin.

"During Martin's tenure at Eastleigh, the Church has been refurbished inside and out and I think we can all agree what a tremendous improvement this is" said Mr Huhne.

Martin and his wife Jan are retiring from Eastleigh Baptist Church to live in Barton-on-Sea after 5 years at the church.