THE new Bishop of Liverpool Paul Bayes showed off some glass blowing skills on his whistle stop tour of St Helens ahead of officially taking up the job.

A special service was held at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral last Saturday (November 15).

Bishop Paul started his visit at the town centre where he was shown around by the reverend David Eastwood the rector of St Helens Parish Church and the area dean.

Next was the Hope Centre where he chatted to staff about the work they do supporting the vulnerable people of the town.

At the town hall he met chief executive Carole Hudson, the mayor Geoff Pearl and other councillors and discussed the challenges and opportunities the town faces and the work the church can play in the local community.

Following a meeting at the Millennium Centre with executive chairman Tony Richardson and operations manager Alan Darlington his last visit was to The World of Glass.

He was given a specially guided tour by museum boss Ron Helsby and was joined by Lady Kirsty Pilkington, Ali Tyrer, the town chaplain Rev Chris Daniel-McKeigue, and assistant area dean Rev Amanda Bruce.

The Bishop rounded off his trip by blowing some glass.

He said: “It’s important for me to remember that being Bishop of Liverpool means more than just the city. So before I get installed I am seeing as much of our diocese as possible and hearing from civic and community leaders about the challenges they face and from church leaders about what the churches are doing to help.

“I got such a warm welcome from everyone I met in St Helens which was really encouraging and I look forward to getting to know more as my ministry progresses.”