The Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend John Sentamu, met the chaplaincy team that supports the retail work force in Bury as a part of a tour of the Millgate Centre and Bury Market yesterday.

The Archbishop chatted to shoppers and shopkeepers, and heard from the chaplaincy team about how they support retail staff in Bury town centre.

The chaplaincy team consists of six clergy from the Anglican, Pentecostal, Methodist and URC churches in Bury. Working as a team, they build relationships with staff and customers and provide a listening ear to help deal with the pressures of work or any other issues that arise.

Rev Gordon Joyce, a member of the team, said, “I visit the market every week and build friendships with the stall holders. They know we are here for them and that we’re interested in their work and their secular lives. Sometimes they ask about the big questions in life or want help with a personal problem. We support them in whatever way we can.”