News Mayor of Maidstone hosts reception for Archbishop of Canterbury

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Gordon Newton, played host to the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Reverent Justin Welby at a reception Tuesday 26 March.

Held in Maidstone’s Archbishops’ Palace, the themed reception was arranged by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC). It focussed on Collaboration for Community Regeneration and Growth and was by invitation from the Mayor and Area Dean, Gareth Dickinson.

The Mayor welcomed over 100 guests and said:

“It is my great honour to be able to host this evening and I am delighted that the Archbishop of Canterbury has asked to speak about the collaboration of communities which are so important to us all here in the borough of Maidstone.

“It seems more than appropriate that we were able to hold this event at the Archbishops’ Place in Maidstone which has so much history behind it and originally a home for traveling archbishops from Canterbury.  It is thought that the Manor of Maidstone was given to the Archbishop of Canterbury as a royal gift around the 7^th century so it is fitting that we are able to welcome the Most Reverent Justin Welby.”

The event was held as part a weeklong schedule for the Archbishop who is spending the week running up to Easter in the Maidstone area.

Speaking ahead of the MBC event, Archbishop Justin Welby said:

"I am really looking forward to being with the churches and people of Maidstone in the wonderful Diocese of Canterbury throughout Holy Week this year.

“It is my hope and prayer that as we retell the Easter story it becomes, either for the first time or once again, our story, and we receive the faith, hope and love God has for each of us.”

The Maidstone Deanery has 10 churches serving a population of 155,000 people and three church schools.

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