St Anne's Royton

On April 26 Bishop Nigel visited St Anne's, Royton as part of his Run the Race pilgrimage. He was greeted by Rev Keith Justice,
churchwardens, PCC and church members before a short service of prayer in the Lady Chapel.

The parish visit began with a trip to the Royal Oldham Hospital to visit Mrs Gwenda Brierley. Rev Keith Justice explained: "Gwenda had been nominated to receive Royal Maundy money on Maundy Thursday but couldn't get to the Cathedral because she was poorly.

Bishop Nigel said: 'No problem. We'll take the Maundy money to the hospital!' So we went to the hospital and it was marvellous. Gwenda was over the moon."

The next stop was Dr Kershaw's Hospice. Rev Justice said: "The Bishop was very interested to meet the matron and the management of the hospice. We then went to see a place called Salmon Fields: a green area with a lake in the middle. One of our OLM students has got a grant to clean it up and create a nice restful area. Finally we went to visit one of our house members who is confined to the home. The Bishop blessed her and chatted."

An informal buffet meal for over 100 people which was prepared by members of St Anne's then took place in the School Hall. Bishop Nigel met the Mayor and the Mayoress of Oldham school children and staff, community police officers, representatives of the fire service, members of St Anne's church, uniformed groups attached to the church, as well as the district judge.

Year 5 children from St Anne's school performed a tableau using photographs of the school and
church's history. The school choir

Photos from this Run the race Bishop's pilgrimage

led the singing. Long serving church members, Mr and Mrs Weston, gave a short talk. There was a very good response to the Bishop's invitation for an anointing and blessing.

"It is something we will look back on for a long, long time. It was a splendid occasion." said Rev Justice.



At the beginning of the service Bishop Nigel handed the baton to the best Sunday School attendee and Mr Weston handed the baton back to the Bishop at the end of the service.

On reflection Rev Justice said: "The feedback has been good and very positive. It has done us a lot of good in terms of our contact with the community. Everyone said how much they had enjoyed it.