Bishop Nick will “hand over the reins” of the diocese with great confidence, he assured the June meeting of Synod in his final Presidential Address.Recalling many events from the last 11 years, he expressed his gratitude to clergy, laity and all who have worked...

The Church of England’s first black clergyman, a Rev Bryan Mackey, was ordained in 1794. A contemporary newspaper notice of his being presented to “the valuable Rectory of Coates, Glouceſterſhire”, did not note his race, but characteristically thought it relevant to relate that he...