In a special service at Wells Cathedral on Saturday, 12 November the Right Reverend Michael Beasley became the 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells, but before the service he had a busy morning, out and about meeting people as he travelled from Bath back to Wells, using different modes of transport along the way.
A phrase that has stuck with Bishop Michael from the service when he became a bishop is ‘bishops know their people and their people know them’.
As he seeks to live out that sentiment, rather than make a conventional car journey home from attending Morning Prayer at Bath Abbey, Bishop Michael took a different approach, using different forms of transport and meeting the people of Bath and Wells along the way.
Bishop Michael's morning
An early departure from the Bishop's Palace to head up to Bath Abbey
Meeting worshippers at Bath Abbey
From Bath to Odd Down Park & Ride, but first a chat to First Bus driver Les and Ops Manager, Thomas who was motivated to join the bus company after his experience of being reliant on bus travel as a child.
At Peasedown St John Bishop Michael donned his bicycle helmet and cycled through the town to The Hive community centre.
Bishop Michael met staff and volunteers at The Hive community centre before being taken away by local PCSO and member of the Christian Police Association, Rob.
Next it was a drive through Chilcompton to the Mulberry Factory with local farmer, George.
In Chilcompton Bishop Michael received a tour of the Mulberry Factory, meeting staff and gaining into the workmanship that goes into each bag that makes them in demand around the world, as well as their long-standing commitment to repairing and upcycling old bags which dates back over 30 years.
Finally back to Wells thanks to local haulage firm, Massey Wilcox and their vintage lorry. In Wells Bishop Michael caught up with Town Crier, Len Swales, who had been sharing the news of the Bishop's Installation in the city's market place and then the Bishop's Palace. At the Palace Bishop Michael found time to plant a tree with his son, Charlie who had grown the sapling from an acorn, before getting ready for the afternoon's service.
