|
The Bishop of Manchester arrived by train for the latest leg of his Parish Pilgrimage to the parish of St George's Stalybridge on Tuesday 31st March, 2009.
Accompanied by the Revd. Ian Stubbs, Vicar of St George's, and other members of his team, Bishop Nigelbegan with prayers in the Station's Victorian Buffet. Prayers having been said, the bar's licensee was keen to offer the bishop some proper Stalybridge hospitality with various guest beers on offer.
From there, the bishop was taken to Cosmo Bingo where staff gave him a tour of the building. After standing in for the caller, Bishop Nigel also met some of the regulars.
Driven in an HGV cab provided by Broadhurst's transport, the bishop arrived in style at his next stop was the Keyhole Centre; base for RASH community forum. The bishop met committee members and discussed the work of RASH.
Set up in 2003 by a group of local residents and named after four local housing estates: Ridgehill, Arlies, Springs and Hague, the group offers help and advice to local residents. With police support RASH has helped to reduce crime and worked on projects with the Prince's Trust.
Around eighty people attended a community reception in the church lounge, including Stalybridge North local councillors, staff and participants in a local Prince's Trust Programme, staff from Willow Wood Hospice and headteachers from local schools.
The reception was followed by the pilgrimage service in church. The church choir was joined by singers from Willow Wood Hospice, which enjoys close links with St George's through the work of an Ordained Local Minster at St George's.
Karen Wright, manager of the local
|
|
