A BOSTIN’ Black Country welcome was given to the Archbishop of Canterbury as he toured around Dudley borough at the weekend.

Stourbridge News:

The archbishop, Justin Welby, spent time speaking to and praying with church members, school children and members of the public at various events across the borough.

After kicking off his tour of the diocese in Worcester on Friday (October 7), the archbishop was welcomed to the Black Country by the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Mohammed Hanif, and members of the Dudley Interfaith Network at Dudley Council House on Saturday (October 8).

On Saturday afternoon the Archbishop of Canterbury visited the Welcome Centre for refugees which runs every Monday in the United Reform Church in Halesowen

Around 40 adults and 20 children were present and Archbishop Justin spent around an hour sitting and chatting with them, hearing their stories and finding out how they are supported by the centre. 

Afternoon tea was arranged by the volunteers and entertainment was provided in a poem about refugees and some songs sang by ladies from Zimbabwe. 


Ann West, secretary to the Welcome Project and organiser of the Archbishop’s visit, said: “We were all very pleased with how the visit went. 
"It was a lovely atmosphere, reflective of our normal sessions and Archbishop Justin spent time chatting to those who came along.”

Those attending were also given bags of fresh produce donated by Worcestershire farmers who had attended a ‘rural afternoon tea’ with the Archbishop on Friday afternoon.  

Archbishop Justin said: “It was an honour to visit Dudley Council House and wonderful to receive such a warm welcome from the mayor and members of the Interfaith Network.

“I was also grateful for the opportunity to share some thoughts on reconciliation and how we can make our friendships stronger.”

The intimate reception was followed by ‘The Power of Hope’ event at Dudley College, where he was in conversation with Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai in front of a specially invited audience of young people and adults.

On Sunday morning (October 9) he attended a special harvest service at Rufford Primary School, before concluding his busy three-day tour in Brierley Hill with a special ‘Songs of Praise’ style event at intu Merry Hill, featuring plenty of songs and hymns.

Stourbridge News:

Councillor Mohammed Hanif, Mayor of Dudley, said: “For me as first citizen it was a great honour and a privilege to have welcomed the archbishop on behalf of Dudley and the Black Country.

“He is a great man doing so much good work to bring people of all faiths together. When he spoke he was very humble.

“It was wonderful to get together with the interfaith groups of the borough and share the common values of our religions and diversities.

“I also attended the service on Sunday morning at Rufford Primary School, and was at Merry Hill Centre in the afternoon, where hundreds of people came out to meet him.

“There must have been more than 500 people there to give him a bostin' Black Country welcome.”

Archbishop Justin added: “Throughout my visit, I’ve found beauty, friendliness, great people and a real church working with real people and making a real difference in their communities.”