A popular curate who has helped his community through the pandemic was given a standing ovation in a final farewell service.

Eastern Daily Press: Jack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANJack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

The Rev Jack Branford, 30, announced earlier this year that he would be leaving Aylsham Parish Church to take up a role as chaplain of Gresham’s School in Holt.

He has done so much to help the town during lockdown - and even came up with the idea of using a water pistol for christenings.

Eastern Daily Press: Jack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANJack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

During the farewell service various members of the church, Aylsham and District rector and the chairman of Broadland Council all spoke of their gratitude for all he had done for the community both before and throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

During the service, Mr Branford was declared a community hero by both the Rotary Club and Broadland Council.

Eastern Daily Press: Jack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Jack and family. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANJack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Jack and family. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

The church also announced that they would be putting up a plaque in the church in honour of Mr Branford to mark how he helped Aylsham and the surrounding areas through the crisis - the announcement led the crowd to give the curate a standing ovation.

Mr Branford said: “I’m incredibly touched. The last couple of months since we announced we were leaving have been an emotional roller coaster.

Eastern Daily Press: Jack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANJack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

“We love this team of churches and we love these communities. The overwhelming emotion has been thankfulness.”

Over the last few months, Mr Branford helped the town and surrounding villages by launching a community help line along with volunteers, keeping the foodbank running and turning an old telephone box into a community pantry.

Eastern Daily Press: Jack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANJack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

In more recent weeks he has been holding services and prayer live on Facebook and has found new ways to host a christening from a social distance using a water pistol.

“I would usually put my hand into the water and flick it into the crowd,” Mr Branford said. “But with coronavirus that wasn’t the best idea. I decided to fill the water gun up and use that instead, it really made people smile.”

Eastern Daily Press: Jack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMANJack Banford is giving his last service at Aylsham Parish Church before starting his new job as the Chaplin at Gresham's. Pictures: BRITTANY WOODMAN (Image: Archant)

Mr Branford will now have one month before starting his new job at Gresham’s.

He said: “It’s a wonderful school and I can’t wait to start. I enjoy working with young people and being able to help them through challenges they face such as ill-mental health.”