Bishop walks on the wild side

The Bishop of Oxford got up close and personal with some of the more unusual residents of the diocese when he went to visit the Cotswold Wildlife Park at Burford this week.

The visit was part of Bishop John’s tour of the 29 deaneries of the diocese. In each case he has asked the local clergy to come up with an itinerary that will help him understand more about life at the grassroots.

Reggie Heyworth, owner of Cotswold Wildlife Park and a churchwarden at St Mary the Virgin, Holwell, in the Witney deanery, said he was delighted to welcome Bishop John.

“It's a great honour for everyone at Cotswold Wildlife Park that he came to visit. And that includes the animals.”