Archbishop completes York Diocese journey

Since January 2006 his journey has included visits to farms and factories, schools and colleges, churches and lighthouses, nurseries for plants and for children; he has ridden on a steam train and a lifeboat; he has opened a play-house, baptised a baby in St Hilda's Well, played drums and signed his name on a wall; planted a tree whilst wearing full vestments and mitre, discussed his faith with the Mayor of Middlesbrough, and x-rayed a dog with a TV vet.

The Deanery of Selby is in the south-west corner of the Diocese of York and includes the town itself with the villages as far south as the River Aire and as far west as Ledston and Micklefield. The Archbishop spent the morning meeting privately with the local clergy to learn more about their parishes, before making a number of visits in the afternoon accompanied by the Revd Chris Wilton, Rural Dean of Selby.

Archbishop Sentamu's afternoon began at Sherburn High School, Sherburn-in-Elmet. Greeted by Headteacher Carl Sugden, the Archbishop joined a group of about fifty students who had prepared questions to put to him, covering a wide range of church and social issues.

Dr Sentamu went on to Selby Abbey Church of England Primary School to be welcomed by Headteacher Sue Tite. Although he arrived late in the school day, the Choir performed two songs for him while he was served with afternoon tea. The Archbishop was given a tour of the school's mid-Victorian buildings, which it is hoped will be replaced with a new building in the near future. He viewed a display of portraits of former Selby Abbey Vicar Keith Jukes who has recently left to become Dean of Ripon.

Archbishop Sentamu then crossed Selby's market place to Selby Abbey itself - the Parish Church of St Mary and St Germain; the spectacular cathedral-sized Norman abbey church which dominates the town centre. He was greeted by the Abbey's Curate, the Reverend Gareth Wardell; the Abbey's High Steward Dr Ingrid Roscoe; Charles Forbes-Adams of the Abbey Trust; Giles Proctor of English Heritage; the Abbey's current Archbitect, and Abbey Administrator Brian Porter.

During his visit Dr Sentamu unveiled a newly-carved head of himself commissioned by the Abbey and executed by Alan Micklethwaite (who was present) of Quibell and Son (Hull) Ltd, masonry contractors for the latest phase of the Abbey's long-term restoration programme. Depicted wearing the traditional bishop's mitre, the carving will become part of the restored vaulting of the Abbey's south-east quire bays. The the head of Dr Sentamu's predecessor as Archbishop of York, David Hope, was unveiled in the Abbey in September 2004 and is now mounted on the vaulting of the north-east quire bays.

On leaving the Abbey Dr Sentamu called on Church Army Captain Richard Cooke at 'The Edge' project in Selby, which brings together St James' Parish Church with Selby Community Primary School and a number of other agencies to improve the community life and spirit in the Flaxley Road area.

At 7.00pm the Archbishop attended a 'Meet Your Archbishop' meeting at Sherburn High School, open to church members and the general public. Following a short act of worship he addressed the meeting and then answered questions from the floor.

Archbishop Sentamu said, "Selby is a great place to end my first tour of the York Diocese, because here you can see the present-day calling of the Church to be the hands and voice of Jesus Christ to those who are struggling after the closure of the coal mines, and to the migrant workers finding themselves alone and sometimes almost friendless here - and also you see the amazing history of the Church embodied in this great Abbey where generations have faithfully come to say their prayers and give glory to God. It's very humbling to become part of the continuing story of the Abbey - this carving will be a reminder to me of all the generations of faith past, and of the great privilege of passing the knowledge and love of God on to the future."