Archbishop Justin Welby, who is visiting Hereford Diocese, was invited to attend the "Butty Van", a joint Borderlands and parish initiative in south Shropshire. The Butty Van is normally a monthly farmers' breakfast in which the food is prepared by parish volunteers and the Chaplaincy provides an input.
Today it turned into a lunchtime event so that the Archbishop could fit it into his busy itinerary. Hosted by Derek and Lynette Price, the Archbishop spent an hour talking to local farmers and members of the local parishes, together with some of the local clergy from the Anglican and Methodist churches and Chaplains from Borderlands Rural Chaplaincy. Catering was provided for 100 people and there wasn't any left over at the end! The Archbishop talked about the role of the church in fostering community, and the power of the farming community in supporting and caring for each other.
Justin Welby was accompanied by Hereford Dioceses' two Bishops, Richard and Alistair. The Rev'd Rachel Parkinson, Chair of the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District, represented the Methodist Church. The weather was kind, the food was excellent, the conversation flowed freely, local reporters from the BBC and Shropshire Star came, and for all who attended it was a memorable event.