Ashton Sixth Form College recently welcomed Mark Davies, Anglican Bishop of Middleton as part of his visit to the Ashton Deanery.

The visit was organised by the College Chaplain, Reverend Jean Hurlston. Jean was officially licensed by the Bishop just before Christmas and he promised then that he would return to meet staff and students. The Bishop visited a number of subject areas, including Religious Studies, Law, Accounting, Sociology, Business Studies, Art and even found time to speak to students in the Learning Resource Centre. The Bishop loved every minute although he did notice a few strange looks as he rushed up and down the stairs wearing his long purple vestments and carrying his Bishop’s pastoral crook!

Students posed some big questions, which reflected their areas of study, such as “Is Britain a secular society?”, “Do you believe in God or the church?”, “Should the law of the land be separated from the church?”. Others were on a lighter note such as “Why do you wear purple?” and “Why do you carry that stick?” There were more questions than time; even as the Bishop was getting into the car for his next appointment, staff members were seeking his view on the Turin shroud.

Jean remarked, “I invited the Bishop to go into the classrooms to answer questions, as this reflected the earthly “wandering” style ministry of Jesus and also of Mohammed. It is also the way we deliver chaplaincy, by going to people wherever they might be, rather than simply waiting for them to come into the chaplaincy room.”