In Coventry. You are going to Culture year, says Archbishop
at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre. The event is formulated of the idea that Coventry is recognised internationally as the City of Peace and Reconciliation and aspires to be a culture which involves healing the wounds of history, learning to live with difference and celebrate diversity, whilst building a culture of peace.
John Witcombe, Dean of the Cathedral, will host the evening, which will lead into a panel discussion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Erica Wyman, Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Debbie Issit, Director of the Nativity films, Geoff Wilcox from the Coventry University City of Culture Board, Chris O’Connell from Shop Front Theatre, Clare Mitchell from Coventry City Council and Trish Adudu, BBC presenter at BBC Coventry and Warwickshire.
Mr Welby will also discuss end of life matters with members of South Warwickshire NHS Trust executive team and key members of staff.
He will then move on to visit St James Cof E Primary School, in Southam, where he was once a governor when he was Rector of Southam.
Mr Welby will take a tour of the school before joining everyone in collective worship. A Bible reading and prayers will be presented by the children and Mr Welby will speak about his role as Archbishop of Canterbury.
He will then pay a visit to Southam College to engage with sixth formers, particularly philosophy and ethics students, in a question and answer session.
Today, Mr Welby will be visiting North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College in Nuneaton .
He will discuss the transformative role of further education colleges within communities with students.
Students have lined up a series of activities for their special guest, including a performance by the student choir, the chance to try some floristry techniques and a demonstration of hairdressing by adult students.
Mr Welby will also meet travel and tourism students alongside Principal and Chief Executive, Marion Plant OBE FCGI, before being interviewed by media students and then served afternoon tea courtesy of students from catering and hospitality.
The highlight of the Archbishop’s visit will be a festival at Coventry Cathedral to celebrate 100 years of the Diocese of Coventry on Saturday.
The day will include songs, drama, exhibitions, worship, prayer stations, children’s activities and much more.
Mr Welby will be at the festival for the entire day. He will be taking a leading role at various points, and at other points he will be enjoying the festival.
As well as being the 100th anniversary of the Diocese of Coventry, this year is also the 25th anniversary of Mr Welby’s ordination as a priest. To mark both milestones, a whole cake will be cut for the diocese and a quarter cake for Mr Welby.