St Leonard Middleton in the Middleton and Thornham Team Ministry

If the weather had been fine for the Bishop of Manchester's visit to the Middleton and Thornham Team Ministry on July 7th, 2009  he would have been delighted by the surprise the parish had planned for his arrival. Knowing his love of Brass Bands, parishioners had arranged for members of Middleton Brass Band to greet him. Sadly, in this instance, heavy rain stopped play.

However, following the theme of the bishop's pilgrimage: "Run the Race",
the Bishop had the opportunity to limber up on the exercise machines at Middleton Arena fitness centre.

After prayers in the ancient Assheton Chapel of St Leonard's, the Bishop visited Middleton Town Centre with Rector, the Revd. Nick Feist, where he met shopping centre manager and local traders and chatted to members of the public.

After a brief visit to Middleton's new bus station, his next destination was the very new, award winning Middleton Arena. The bishop had a brief tour and met Councillor Peter Williams, Chair of Middleton Township and a number of councillors who were unable to attend the Reception because of a council meeting at the same time.

The Bishop also visited Hulton Care Residential and Nursing Home, with which St Leonard's has close links. Staff bring residents to Church on Sunday morning while clergy take  Holy Communion to around 14 communicants there every month. The Bishop made time to speak to every resident, and prayed with a few.

Dorothy Taylor, who, together with her husband, helped to organise the

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

visit said: "It was hard work, and at times stressful, but it was wonderful to meet the Bishop and see what a wonderfully caring and compassionate person he is."




The Community Reception was held at The Old Grammar School. Around sixty representatives of the local community attended including local churche leaders; the Executive Director of Rochdale MBC, the Rotary Club of Middleton, Hulton Care Nursing and Residental Home, the Middleton Guardian, Middleton Civic Association & Conservation Group, Greater Manchester Police, Trustees of the Old Grammar School , Middleton Band, The Royal British Legion, Middleton CE Primary School, St Anne's Academy, Newlands School,
as well as local Funeral Directors and businesses.