Archbishop of York calls on Driffield and the Wolds

Archbishop Sentamu spent the morning at Burton Agnes in a private meeting with local clergy to learn about their parishes, and about the Rural Christian Community Network (RCCN), an innovative local project encouraging churches of different denominations to share people and resources across some thirty rural communities.

Arriving for lunch at Burton Agnes Hall, he was greeted and entertained by children from Burton Agnes Church of England Primary School.

During the afternoon the Archbishop made a series of visits accompanied by the Rural Dean of Harthill, the Reverend Marie Teare.

At 1.45pm, Dr Sentamu arrived at Middleton on the Wolds Church of England Primary School . Greeted by Headteacher Mrs Christine Bennison, Archbishop Sentamu met pupils of Middleton and of Beswick and Watton Church of England Primary School with which it is confederated. Also present were representative pupils and headteachers from other local schools: Garton on the Wolds Church of England Primary School (Mrs Debbie Chadwick); Langtoft Primary School (Mrs Wendy Barnes); Sledmere Church of England Primary School (Mr Tim Brenchley); and Wetwang Church of England Primary School (Mr John Murray).

The sang for Dr Sentamu and then performed a presentation of their schools' activities in the community, based on the initials, WAGGONERS - the name given by the Church to the group of parishes served by the schools, in tribute to a local military unit in the First World War which was named after the distinctive East Riding farm waggons. Archbishop Sentamu toured Middleton school and met pupils and staff.

At 3.15pm the Archbishop arrived at the Bell Mills of E B Bradshaw & Sons in Driffield to be greeted by joint Managing Director Stuart Bradshaw. Bell Mills is one of Driffield's leading industrial sites and a major player in the UK market for flour and arable products. Mr Bradshaw took Archbishop Sentamu on a tour of the Mills, extending over five floors, and following in the footsteps of Dr Donald Coggan, a previous Archbishop of York, who visited in 1965. The Archbishop's tour ended with a bakery demonstration, following which he was presented with some fresh sample loaves made with Bradshaw's flour, and a bag each of breadmaking, plain and self-raising flour.

Dr Sentamu continued to the Kilham Road, Driffield, Pig Unit of Yorkwold Pigpro Ltd. He was shown around by Joint Managing Director James Dewhirst.

At 7.00pm Archbishop Sentamu attended an open 'Meet Your Archbishop' meeting at The Bell Hotel, Driffield (Market Place, Driffield YO25 6AN) for local church members and the general public. Following a short act of worship, he spoke to the meeting and then answered questions from the floor.

Dr Sentamu said, "In the face of the difficult challenges faced by farming communties, Harthill Deanery shows how much vitality there is in the Churches of East Riding. The Rural Churches' Community Network is working hard to provide support and spiritual leadership during these tough times. The churches in and around Driffield are fully involved in the lives of the people and communties they serve, reflecting God's call to each of us to love and serve our neighbours."