St. Margaret, Prestwich

The Bishop of Manchester, the Right Revd. Nigel McCulloch, swapped his usual hybrid car for a horse-drawn vehicle when he visited St. Margaret Prestwich on 30 April 2008 as part of his three year pilgrimage around the diocese of Manchester.

After visiting St George's Church in Simister to pray with church members, he was driven to St Margaret's Church of England Primary School in Prestwich in a two-seater exercise cart.

Priest-in-charge of St George's Simister and St Margaret's Prestwich, the Revd. Debby Plummer said, 'Simister is a semi-rural community and noted for its substantial horse-riding community. Gary, the owner of the carriage has a number of friends at St George's, so we asked him whether he would be willing to convey the bishop in true Simister-fashion when he visited our parishes.'

During his visit, the bishop also popped in on St Margaret's Bowling Club (trying his hand at crown green bowling) and visiting residents at Sealand House sheltered housing.

The bishop also met local business and community leaders, including the deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Bury and the head of Prestwich Arts College, Jeff Barlow, at a community reception hosted by the church.

During the Pilgrimage Service at St Margaret's in the evening two young members of the church, Hayley Jackson and Michael Avery told 'Our  Story' - a presentation about the history and contemporary life of the church, written by Peter Edwards, archivist and one-time producer of the church's drama group.

The Commonwealth Games baton

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

that has accompanied the bishop on his pilgrimage was received by Sheila Johnson, a longstanding member at St. Margaret's and handed back by Richard Stanton, also a lifelong church member, who starts university this year.

Priest-in-charge, Debby Plummer said: "It was great to welcome the bishop back to the parish and to have the opportunity to catch his enthusiastic vision for the diocese."