Bishop to toast new role
The new Bishop of Wolverhampton's first port of call will be Banks's Brewery today - so that he can enjoy a good pint. The Rev Clive Gregory was unveiled today as the city's fourth bishop.The new Bishop of Wolverhampton's first port of call will be Banks's Brewery today - so that he can enjoy a good pint. The Rev Clive Gregory was unveiled today as the city's fourth bishop. And as a member of the Campaign for Real Ale he said he was looking forward to his visit to the city's famous beer manufacturer. He said: "I enjoy a pint of Banks's which goes down very nicely and we are off to Banks's later today - which is absolutely perfect for me." The Queen has approved the appointment of Mr Gregory, who used to serve in Coventry, as the man to succeed Bishop Michael Bourke, who retired at Christmas. Read the full story in the Express & Star
And as a member of the Campaign for Real Ale he said he was looking forward to his visit to the city's famous beer manufacturer.
He said: "I enjoy a pint of Banks's which goes down very nicely and we are off to Banks's later today - which is absolutely perfect for me."
The Queen has approved the appointment of Mr Gregory, who used to serve in Coventry, as the man to succeed Bishop Michael Bourke, who retired at Christmas.Mr Gregory will be consecrated as a bishop at Southwark Cathedral in London on April 19.
He will be formally installed as only the fourth Bishop of Wolverhampton at a special service in Lichfield Cathedral on May 5.
Today he told the Express & Star he was thrilled about his new role.
He said: "I am moving to Wolverhampton at the beginning of April, to Richmond Road in Finchfield.
"I am very excited because I love change and challenge and this position will bring that in great measure.
"I am really looking forward to working within the diversity of the Wolverhampton area. I will also support the clergy in their work across the area.
"The clergy these days can be under a lot of pressure and stress and I want to be there for them. The church should also be involved in community life. I am looking forward to putting down roots with my family."
Mr Gregory was brought up in a Christian family and spent his early years in a suburban church in Sevenoaks, Kent, where his father was church warden .
He trained in Liverpool and following ordination served his curacy in the Kent seaside town of Margate.
He moved to Coventry as chaplain of Warwick University where he fronted a show on the university's own local radio station. He then became team rector of Coventry East.
After his visit to Banks's he was due to go to The Crossing at St Paul's in Darwall Street, Walsall, and then to Aldridge Parish Church, to meet the Rector of Aldridge, the Rev Richard Cornfield.
By Becky Sharpe and Faye Casey
