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The Bishop of Manchester visited the parish of St George's Tyldesley cum Shakerley on Tuesday 25th May 2010
Arriving mid-afternoon, the Bishop's visit began with prayer, after which he met churchwardens and church council members.
Bishop Nigel also found a moment to indulge a lifelong passion by playing the Father Willis organ while he was in church.
The bishop spent time with Margaret Woodward, credited with being the driving force behind the original setting up of the Shakerley Community Centre, together with Marjorie Marsden who runs the Centre. The Revd. Chris Straton, Team Vicar, said "The bishop had tea with the ladies, and they were both so pleased that he was relaxed and down to earth with them."
The bishop was then taken to St George's Central CE Primary School where he was entertained by the school choir who sang for him.
Remaining at St George's school for a community reception, the bishop met a number of representatives of local community groups including the joint heads of the school, leaders of local churches, and President of Tyldelsey Rotary Club, Gavin Tomlinson.
"The final church service was very significant for all of us." continued the Revd. Chris Straton, "I suppose the most moving part for me was when the bishop took the baton from our oldest member; Mr George Pearson, a former headmaster of our church school - and still actively coming to church at 94yrs. He gave it to (almost) our youngest member, Amy Hodcroft, who is in our choir and 10yrs old.
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