A man who proudly held the title of the oldest Methodist minister in the country has died in Norfolk at the age of 101.The Rev Stuart Luckcock , who died at Eckling Grange residential home at Dereham, on February 17, had been a Methodist minister since 1932.

A man who proudly held the title of the oldest Methodist minister in the country has died in Norfolk at the age of 101.

The Rev Stuart Luckcock , who died at Eckling Grange residential home at Dereham, on February 17, had been a Methodist minister since 1932.

His official death notice in the Eastern Daily Press described him as a man 'passionately in love with Christ and full of the Holy Spirit'.

Even since his 100th birthday celebrations he has continued to contribute to the regular Thought for the Week services at the Grange according to general manager, Stewart Barber. He always had a great passion for His Lord and enjoyed sharing it with everyone, said Mr Barber.

Mr Luckcock was well into his 90s when he was still preaching regularly on the Dereham and Swaffham Circuit. He served as a Methodist minister across the country, including 13 years at Cromer.

In his younger days Mr Luckcock was a missionary and went to India five times and it was there that he met his wife, Janet and the couple went on be enjoy a marriage spanning 67 years.

'For 67 years we were God's team,' he said after her death.

Over the years Mr Luckcock has been a prolific campaigner against alcohol abuse (he was teetotal all his life), gambling and nuclear weapons.

He had wide-ranging interests and roles he played included scout leader, amateur actor, gardener, photographer and painter.

Following a private cremation service on Friday, March 5 there will be a public thanksgiving service at 2pm on March 6 at Trinity Methodist Church, Dereham.

There is also to be a thanksgiving service at Eckling Grange on Sunday, March 7.

Donations are being invited to the Methodist Relief Fund.