Ghanaian missionary finds UK too cold to stay

A Ghanaian priest sent to the UK as a missionary has been sent packing by the cold weather.

Father Joseph Dom flew back to Kumasi in Ghana after enduring eight chilly months in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

The 47-year-old Roman Catholic missionary arrived in April and thought the summer weather was miserable enough but the winter ice was more than he could bear.

Fr Dom told the Telegraph: "It is the first time I have ever seen frost, snow and ice. I have never known it so cold. I'm just not used to it.

A parish worker said the missionary, who had arrived with few suitable clothes, was given woolly hats and jumpers by parishioners. "But he was always cold," she said.

Fr Dom said it had been a culture shock arriving in Newark. "The big difference is the calm at the church services, and the people sing beautifully. In Africa, there is a lot of loud music with drums and dancing, and there are usually more than 2,000 people at a time."

He said he was impressed by the faith and generosity of those he had met. "They come to Mass even if it is very cold, and they listen very attentively."