From gas man to holy man - vicar is community stalwart

6:38am Tuesday 19th February 2008

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A BLAENAU Gwent vicar has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award to recognise all his hard work for the local community.

Reverend Roger Hewett, vicar of St Peter's Church in Blaina and St Anne's Church in Nantyglo, is one of four finalists to be listed for the working in partnership category of the Leading Wales Awards.

Rev Hewett, 62, has been Chairman of Blaina Community First since it began over five years ago and is also a member of the Chartist Regeneration Committee and Area Dean for Blaenau Gwent.

He dedicates much of his free time to working on a range of community projects, including children's after school clubs, computer courses and a community lunch club.

Rev Hewett, a former gas engineer, will attend the Leading Wales Awards at Cardiff's Hilton hotel this Thursday to find out if he has won the award.

But he is very modest about his nomination.

He said: "I am one of a team, I am pleased not just for me but for the community."

Bishop of Monmouth, the Right Reverend Dominic Walker OGS, said: "Roger is an amazing community priest who has done a tremendous job to promote social cohesion in his community.

"I am encouraged that a mature, faithful priest, who is making a difference to the community he is serving, is recognised alongside business people and the younger generation."