New Bishop Hits the Ground Running
The new Bishop of Ludlow is setting a cracking pace, aiming to visit all parts of the Diocese of Hereford within the next six weeks. Alistair Magowan was consecrated Bishop at a service in St Paul’s Cathedral in London on 29th September by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The new Bishop aims to visit all thirteen Deaneries in the Diocese starting at Kington & Weobley on Monday 5th October. A Deanery is a geographical collection of parishes within a Diocese.
“I want to get into all areas of the Diocese as quickly as possible,” said Bishop Alistair. “I am hoping to meet the movers and shakers of the Diocese and certainly the clergy wherever possible. Those in charge are drawing up a programme for me so it will be different in each Deanery. I suppose something of an exciting journey of discovery.”
The Bishop will follow up his Kington visit with a trip to churches in Bridgnorth Deanery on Wednesday 5th and Condover Deanery, which takes in parishes from the edge of Shrewsbury down the A49 trunk road to Craven Arms on Friday 7th. Each Deanery is led by a Rural Dean, a clergy person, and a Lay Co-Chair, a member of the Laity.
On Monday, he will be starting in Presteigne and then visit Weobley before joining the 5 incumbents of the Deanery for a pub lunch in Pembridge. He’ll complete his tour of Herefordshire’s Black and White Village Trail with the Arrow group of parishes, then the Eardisley Group and finishing in Kington in the early evening.
On Friday, he will be in Much Wenlock for a Communion Service, with coffee and chat afterwards. He will attend the monthly Soup Lunchat the back of the nave in the Church, joining a table with the Mayor of Much Wenlock Town Council and the Town Clerk. He will spend the afternoon meeting people in Condover, Dorrington and Cardington. He will end his day in Church Stretton looking at their proposals for a major re-ordering of St Laurence’s Church.
“Next week is looking very interesting,” said the Bishop. “I should know a bit about both counties before staring again the following week in Clun and Bishop’s Castle!”
Notes to Editors:There are several photo opportunities at each deanery. Please contact The relevant rural Dean for detailed information:
Kington & Weobley Rev Stephen Hollinghurst 01544 267777
Bridgnorth : Rev Simon Cawdell 01746 710268 (programme still to come)
Condover Rev Stephen Lowe 01952 727396
Issued by Anni Holden, Director of Communications, The Palace, Hereford HR4 9BL
a.holden@hereford.anglican.org 01432 373342 or 07889 186316 www.hereford.anglican.org