New Bishop of Dover meets communities in Dover
The new Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott visited communities across Dover on Thursday. During the day he met volunteers at Cross Links, school children at Guston School and companions at St Martin's Emmaus, as well as answering questions at a public meeting in the Town Council offices during the evening.
Bishop Trevor, who took up his post as Bishop of Dover in February said he was 'overjoyed' by the welcome he had received in the town.
In the morning the Bishop was introduced to Cross-Links by Nigel Collins, a lay minister who works at the ecumenical community development project in Buckland. As well as meeting volunteers and service users at the centre, Bishop Trevor spoke to children from Green Park Community Primary School who attend a weekly after school club called 'Jesus, Mess and Biscuits' which is run by Cross-Links.
Bishop Trevor said: "Cross-Links Dover really is a church with a difference. Through the input of so many committed volunteers and partnerships with local organizations, Cross-Links is helping the local community in many ways."
In the afternoon Bishop Trevor visited Guston Church of England Primary School where he was shown around by deputy head Julia Cox. All the pupils, 65% of whom are from Nepalese service families, met Bishop Trevor when he led a school assembly. During the assembly, the Bishop who was wearing a purple cassock explained to the children the importance of his Bishop's staff, allowing the children to hold it before he went on to lead the school in worship.
Following a car tour of the area, Bishop Trevor called in to the St Martin's Emmaus community. Whilst in his previous role as Bishop of Basingstoke, Bishop Trevor was a founding trustee of an Emmaus community in Hampshire, and describes himself as 'a passionate advocator for Emmaus'.
At the Archcliffe site, Bishop Trevor met many of the companions, including Paul who has been there for seven weeks who commented that he had 'loved every second' of his time there. All 21 companions are single people who had neither a home nor job before joining, and whilst at the centre work 40 hours a week recycling donated furniture for re-sale.
In the evening around 60 people attended a 'Question and Answer' event at the Dover Town Council Offices where local people had the opportunity to ask the Bishop anything. The event was attended by local councilors, the Mayor of Dover Susan Jones, Lioness Jan Goldsack, Head Teachers, community leaders and church members. Questions included the role the church should play in schools and what how churches can contribute to social reform.
Asked if he had enjoyed his day in Dover, Bishop Trevor said: "It has been good to meet so many people committed to improving life in the town and I have been overjoyed by the welcome I have received."
Ends
Photo available
Further information from:
Emily Shepherd, Director of Communication 01227 459 401, 07876 210 446
Notes for Editors
Bishop Trevor Willmott was installed as Bishop of Dover on February 6th 2010. Bishop Trevor has designated oversight of the Church of England Canterbury Diocese on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Diocese stretches from Maidstone to the East coast and includes over 280 parishes. The Bishop lives with his wife Margaret, a school finance officer, in Canterbury.
More info on Cross-Links: http://www.cross-links.org.uk/
Guston School: www.guston.kent.sch.uk
St Martin's Emmaus: www.stmartinsemmaus.co.uk