Archbishop sings praises of Oldham’s own angels

THE Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu visits Oldham’s Yorkshire Street with Oldham’s Street Angels.

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THE Archbishop of York was greeted by angels on a night on the town - Oldham’s Street Angels.

As part of his two-day visit to the Manchester Diocese, Archbishop Dr John Sentamu is seeing first-hand Oldham projects meeting the social needs of the community.

Last night he sat with the volunteers who work in Oldham’s night economy on Saturdays to help keep people safe.

He surprised the locals when he popped in to the Up Steps Inn before pulling a pint of Bishop’s Finger ale while chatting to staff. Then he visited Liquid Envy to meet licensees, town centre police and staff..

Dr Sentamu said of the Angels: “I think anybody who goes out to help people must be congratulated. They’ve been going for three years, which is wonderful. They rescue people from difficult situations.”

Street Angels coordinator Jean Hurlston - an associate priest at Oldham Parish Church and a chaplain at Ashton Sixth Form College - was delighted by the Archbishop’s visit.

“I think it’s great that the broader church is acknowledging our work,” she said. “We’re not just concerned with people who come into the church, but everybody who lives in Oldham and comes into the town centre.”

The Archbishop was due to return to Oldham this morning to learn more about St Barnabas Church’s “Near Neighbours” project in Clarksfield, which brings together neighbours in ethnically-diverse communities.