A VALE minister who retired after serving the local community for 37 years has published a book on his life experiences which will be launched this month.

Reverend Ian Miller became the minister of Bonhill Church in 1975 and remained there until his retirement in 2012. Later that year he was given the honour of being made a Freeman of West Dunbartonshire. He is the second longest serving minister in the Bonhill church's history.

The well-loved man of the cloth, who is a self-confessed Celtic supporter, spoke at the football club's 125th anniversary celebrations. He was also chaplain to three primary schools and a high school.

The autobiography Habbie to Jeely-Eater is the story of his life from a mission hall in Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire to the Vale of Leven.

People in Kilbarchan are traditionally known as Habbies, it is a moniker that comes from the village's 16th century piper Habbie Simpson, while people from the Vale have been tagged Jeely Eaters.

Rev Miller told the Reporter: "It is a story of laughter and tears, of successes and failures... a story of over 4,000 weddings, over 6,000 funerals and around 3000 baptisms. A life of deep involvement with the community. But more than that its the story of the awesome privilege of sharing the lives of the ordinary folk being there with them through the laughter and the tears."

Rev Miller has also spoke at the Scottish Parliament and preached before the Queen but he admits that he was "just very lucky to go to the right church with the right people at the right time."

The former minister has witnessed many changes in society since he first took up the post in Bonhill – it was his first and only charge. The book also touches on local and national issues that Rev Miller was strongly involved with, he is a lifelong member of CND and supported the Yes campaign during the independence referendum.

He continued: "In 1975 you were expected to be chaplain in the schools, invited onto community groups etc etc - because you were the minister. Now that is not so. Then you conducted almost every funeral but even that has changed. I would hope that it is a story that is open and honest but most of all it's about the sheer joy of being a parish minister and the fun I have had."

Habbie to Jeely-Eater book launches will take place at the Kilbarchan Performing Arts Centre on Tuesday, May 24; on Wednesday, May 25 at Bonhill Church; and at Rhu Church on Thursday, May 26 – all of these events start at 7pm. The Reverend will also be signing books on the same dates at Alexandria Library from 10am until 1pm. There will also be less formal events taking place at Dumbuck Hotel on Tuesday, May 31 at 7pm and The Cruin Arden on June 2.

The book is available from Amazon priced £12.99 for the paperback version or £4.78 for the Kindle version.