Prayer and pint for the canon!

RETURN . . . Canon John Sykes

A former chaplain to the Queen will renew old friendships when he returns to Saddleworth for a special celebration this weekend.

Former Vicar of Oldham, Canon John Sykes, will preach at Sunday’s 11am service at St Chad’s, Uppermill, which is hosting a year-long series of events to mark its 800th anniversary.

The jovial canon (76), who was Vicar of Saddleworth for nine years, plans to sample a pint of special beer after the service at the Church Inn, next to St Chad’s.

The beer - named Saint Chads in honour of the anniversary - will see Canon Sykes following in the footsteps of the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Dr David Walker, who launched the anniversary year and also tried the beer.

John said: “When I was vicar in Saddleworth it was almost a tradition to call in at the Church Inn after service to share a pint and chat with my flock. I’m looking forward to seeing friends old and new at Sunday’s service.”

The service will be attended by congregations from the church’s three centres.

Canon Sykes, who was chaplain to the Queen for 13 years, preached his last service in the Queen’s personal chapels in London in 2009. He still visits the Chapel Royal and Queen’s Chapel when he is in London, and urged local people also to drop in.

He said: “Both chapels are near St James Palace and are beautiful. Services are open to the public.

“I have preached in them 13 times and services are mainly for members of the Royal household, but they do receive visitors from all over the world.”

email: kd_bennett@yahoo.co.uk