This week, FATHER JOE FEELEY reveals his love for Tolkien territory

PARISH priest Father Joe Feeley has just celebrated half a century of service to God.

Born in Ireland, the 74-year-old has been priest at St Mary's Church, Devonshire Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, for eight years after moving to Hyndburn from the Manchester area.

And his Lancashire Hot Spot is a setting in the Ribble Valley which has now been proved to be a former haunt of Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, whose books are being turned into a trilogy of blockbuster movies.

Father Feeley, who was ordained 50 years ago, said: "I love Stonyhurst College and its grounds very much. It is a lovely place to visit and has a beautiful church."

A three-day celebration for Father Feeley last weekend was attended by his three brothers and three sisters as well as a celebratory mass with 30 priests included in the congregation. His life's work was praised by the Queen's representative in Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth, and Hyndburn MP Greg Pope after 11-year-old altar girl Charlotte Brankin wrote requesting his half-centenary's achievement be recognised.

And it looks likely that the Ribble Valley, and Stonyhurst in particular, will be seeing much more of Father Feeley as he says he has no plans to leave East Lancashire.