A tale of two Bishops for community station 10Radio

COMMUNITY Radio station 10Radio, which broadcasts from Wiveliscombe to the surrounding parishes and beyond, hosted not one, but two Bishops during a Deanery visit last Thursday.
The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price, visited the Wiveliscombe studio together with the Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rev Peter Maurice.
The two bishops spent a total of 48 hours in the Tone Deanery, taking part in events across the area, including visits to Milverton Community Centre, Pulsford Lodge Care Home, Tower Cheesemakers, Aardvaark Climate Change, and Environmental Solutions.
Bishop Peter led a confirmation service in Wellington where he also commissioned Andy Levett as Deanery youth worker.
He spent nearly an hour with 10Radio accompanied by the Rev Graham Owen, who is the Rector of Wiveliscombe, and Rachel Renfree, the lay chairman of the Deanery Synod (part of the Church Parliament).
He took part in an interview on-air with two 10Radio presenters, Nigel Parkin and Philip Knighton, and then spent time touring the studios.
The Bishop spoke about the need for the church to concentrate on involvement with the community and, quoting the 1930s Archbishop William Temple, said the church existed for those who were not members.
Speaking about the 'Changing Lives' initiative, which he has championed in the diocese, Bishop Peter spoke about vision and hope and related a story about how a former alcoholic called Baz had recently telephoned to tell him how his life had been turned around after he had been supported by a church-based community project.
The 10Radio team also followed the Bishop as he re-dedicated the recently restored bells in Nynehead, and afterwards joined in a game of skittles with the SNAZ (Sunday Night Action Zone) youth group in the crypt of St Andrew’s Church, in Wiveliscombe.
The live programme ‘Meet the Bishop’ is due to be repeated on 105.3fm at 8 am on Sunday, October 12, for those who missed it the first time round.

• Our photograph shows (left to right) Wiveliscombe rector the Rev Graham Owen, Bishop of Taunton, the Rt Rev Peter Maurice, and 10Radio presenter Nigel Parkin. Photo submitted.