St James' Heywood

The Bishop of Manchester visited St James' Heywood on Thursday July 1st, 2010 and found a community in good heart.
A site visit to Heywood's soon-to-be-completed sports and leisure centre brought the bishop together with representatives of "A New Heart for Heywood", part of a national New Deal strategy for neighbourhood renewal, enabling him to see for himself what is being achieved in partnership with local people.
The bishop's visit began with the Pilgrimage office in St James', after which Bishop Nigel visited the Marina Ropes factory nearby - one of the few remnants of Heywood's heritage of textile manufacturing. The bishop met with  management and staff and saw the complex manufacturing process.
The bishop's visit having overrun somewhat, there was little time to visit Back O`the Moss Community Centre. However, the bishop was delighted to meet Centre Assistant, Clare Pratt and her fiancé (pictured), who were due to be married in St James' the following month by priest -in-charge, the Rev. Lesley Reading.
A reception in the Parish Hall brought together neighbourhood figures, including local councillors, MP, Jim Dobbin, and chair of the New Deal Partnership, Susan Coates and other resident directors representing the local community.
A Pilgrimage Service of Celebration and Recommissioning followed in St James' church. The Revd. Lesley Reading said "It felt so comfortable. Laying on hands and anointing is not something familiar to the parish, but the bishop has a way with people that makes such new experiences

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

very unthreatening and inclusive. Very few of them had encountered the bishop before. They really appreciated his warmth and  approachability."
A small number of church members put together a presentation about the church's history and one lady stood up and spoke. A church member with strong links within the local community returned the Commonwealth Games baton to the bishop as the service ended.
The Revd. Lesley Reading added: "Whenever St James's Day, 25 July, falls on a Sunday, Santiago's Cathedral in Compostela declares a Holy Year. Here in Heywood, the bishop's pilgrimage has been the high spot of 2010's Holy Year. I'd like to say it's launched all kinds of things; I'm not sure it has though we put on a wonderful St James' weekend Flower Festival, and I've been able to follow up a