Motorbiking Bishop visits Chartham
The new Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott hitched a ride on the local vicar's motorbike when he visited Chartham last week (April 27th).
Bishop Trevor was joined by keen motorcyclist and Priest-in-Charge of Chartham St Mary, Revd Phil Brown for an afternoon visit at the ArjoWiggins paper mill in Chartham before taking a service at St Mary's and attending an evening reception in Chartham Village Hall for members of the public.
At ArjoWiggins, Assistant Production Manager, Mr. Ian Park took Bishop Trevor on a tour of the paper mill, which has stood in Chartham since 1738. The mill employs around 120 people and is a specialist producer of tracing paper, creating around nine tonnes each year.
Bishop Trevor was shown the entire manufacturing process from pulping to the finished product and spoke to staff members at the plant.
Mr. Park also showed the Bishop copies of the Telegraph newspaper printed last week with an outer wrap created from ArjoWiggins tracing paper - the first time tracing paper has been used on newspapers in the UK.
Bishop Trevor said: "It was fascinating to see how tracing paper is manufactured and to meet many of the people who work at the mill. The mill has played an important role in the local community for over nearly 300 years, and continues to do so."
After hopping on Revd Phil's Yamaha motorbike, Bishop Trevor led an afternoon service in Chartham St Mary church for local people and members of other churches in the region.
During the evening, around 100 people attended the event 'Any Questions with Bishop Trevor' at Chartham Village Hall. The event was chaired by Mike Field, Bilting resident and member of the West Bridge Deanery Synod, who 'interviewed' the Bishop before taking questions from the floor. Mr Field commented: "The audience ranged over relevant and interesting territory and Bishop Trevor was an excellent speaker, providing thoughtful and helpful answers."
The visit to Chartham formed part of the Bishop's tour of the rural West Bridge Deanery which stretches from Chartham to the outskirts of Ashford.
Bishop Trevor was installed as Bishop of Dover in February and has spent the first three months in post visiting communities in schools, farms, factories, councils, businesses, charities and churches across the Diocese, from Maidstone to the Thanet.
As Bishop of Dover and Bishop in Canterbury, Bishop Trevor has delegated responsibility from the Archbishop of Canterbury for the oversight of the Canterbury Diocese.
Ends
Further information from:
Emily Shepherd, Director of Communications, Canterbury Diocese - 07876 210 446
Photo: Shows Bishop Trevor on Revd Phil Brown's motorbike in Chartham
Photos from visit to ArjoWiggins also available.
The new Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Trevor Willmott was quizzed by children from Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary School during his visit to the Wye last Tuesday (April 27th). The Bishop, who wore a purple cassock, enjoyed a tour through the school with Head Teacher Mr Kevin Grout and local priest, Revd Ravi Holy, before visiting two year six classes, where he answered questions about life as a Bishop.