MEMBERS of the Methodist Church in the Romsey area will not only be celebrating the tercentenary of their co-founder but will also be saluting one of their longest-serving preachers next week.

John and Charles Wesley founded the Methodist movement in the 18th century. John rode around Britain on horseback, preaching and founding Methodist societies, while Charles was a great hymn writer.

This year is the third centenary of Charles's birth in 1707 and events are being held around the world.

Romsey's Methodist Minister, the Rev Geoff Floyd, explained that the date of the celebration in Romsey had been chosen because it was also the anniversary of John's conversion, when he felt his heart strangely warmed'.

The event on Thursday, May 24, will feature an exhibition of Methodist memorabilia from 4pm to 7pm at Romsey Methodist Church, where old hymn books, documents and artefacts will be on show.

From 7pm, there will be a hymnal' tour of Romsey, beginning with O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing' at the Methodist Church and, from there, Charles Wesley hymns at the Romsey Christian Centre, the Baptist Church, the United Reformed Church and St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, before culminating at Romsey Abbey at around 8.15pm.

It will focus on a short medley of Wesley hymns and the presentation of a 50-year preaching certificate to Jack O'Hara.

Jack, 71, who grew up in the Keighley area of West Yorkshire and joined the Methodist Church after attending Sunday school. He began his preaching in the breathtaking scenery of the hills and dales of Yorkshire, Cumberland and Westmorland.

Now a retired building society manager, he worked in Keighley, Carlisle and Ellesmere Port before coming to Romsey more than 20 years ago.

In Romsey, he saw his office through three generations of company titles - the Leicester Temperance, the Leicester and then the Alliance and Leicester.

He said: "I can't ever see myself moving away from Romsey now. I've enjoyed my time here and have met some wonderful, wonderful people both inside and outside the church."

He preaches in the seven Romsey circuit churches of Romsey, Bramshaw, Cadnam, Canada Common, Landford, Nomansland and Wellow and circuit minister the Rev Geoff Floyd said: "He has been a very, very keen preacher indeed and has been willing to take services beyond the call of duty."