The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby was in the Diocese of Truro on Friday.

Archbishop Justin, along with his wife Caroline, were in the diocese to meet with the Bishop of Truro, The Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen and Mrs Ruth Mounstephen.

The day started with a visit by the Welbys and Mounstephens to the Duchy of Cornwall development at Nansledan to hear more about the sustainable community being developed there and its commitment to be Netzero by 2030, a pledge the Church of England has also made.

This was followed by a stop at Newquay Orchard, a seven-acre community space in the centre of the town created to provide environmental education, mental health services, community events and employability services and training. The group were welcomed to the orchard by Luke Berkeley, founder of Newquay Orchard and Jenny Hindson, Chief Operating Officer, who were able to explain more about the education and social impact programmes.

Following a lunch at Trewollack Farmhouse at Nansledan and a tour of Pras Trewolek, farmland now managed for biodiversity and public amenity, the visit continued at The Bishops’ Learning Academy in Newquay.

The Bishops’ Learning Academy, Newquay

Following a welcome by head teacher Adam Richards, head girl Sophia and head boy James split the party into two for a tour of the school. Throughout the tour pupils from year five and six gave presentations on the school’s Christian values and vision, diversity, its community links and aspirations as well as highlighting that it is a Trauma Informed School.

The visit ended with the bishop and archbishop treated to a traditional Cornish cream tea before a question and answer session much anticipated by the pupils who had come up with intelligent and interesting questions.

On leaving Archbishop Justin told pupils: “I have really enjoyed this visit. One of the very best things I get to do in my job is to come and visit people like you in your school. Thank you for your clever questions!”

Speaking after the visit, Bishop Philip said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome Archbishop Justin and Mrs Welby to Cornwall. The Duchy development on Nansledan has some vital lessons to teach us around sustainable community development and I know the Archbishop is keen to learn from that. We were bowled over by all we saw at Newquay Orchard: a social enterprise providing support and encouragement to a whole range of people. And it was a great to spend time at the wonderful, warm Christian community that is The Bishops’ Learning Academy. A great day was had by all!”

Photos by Paul Richards, PR4Photos