My City: Bishop of Wakefield

What do you like best about your city?

The amazing contrast between history and modern culture. The splendid mediaeval cathedral with the highest spire in Yorkshire, the Civic and St John’s Quarters of the city, the hidden alleys and cobbled squares, where people like George Gissing were born, all standing in contrast with the stunning Chipperfield building with the Hepworth collection and the exciting new Trinity Walk shopping centre.

What would be your perfect day?

A morning walking through the fields around Waterton Park, a pub lunch out at Cawthorne then perhaps an hour in the Sculpture Park and finishing up with a walk around our own garden and having a drink there in the evening (when it’s sunny!).

Do you have a favourite walk or view?

Both our favourite walk and view is around Pugney’s Lake. Depending on the sky and the time of the year it always looks different and the mound of Sandal Castle in the background crowns it.

If you had to name a hidden gem in your city, what would it be?

The old Grammar School – unexpectedly finding itself now surrounded by the bright and contemporary buildings of Trinity Walk, the market and the bus station.

Do you have a favourite pub or restaurant?

We love taking a pub lunch at the King’s Arms at Heath in the setting of one of the largest village greens in Yorkshire. The Kaye Arms is marvellous for an evening meal with great views over the hills.

What do you think makes Wakefield special?

Wakefield was the capital of the old West Riding and brings with it a noble history, market town and centre: rail and road communications are fantastic.

Do you have a favourite shop in the area?

Lots of choice there but top of them all would be Peter Jones, both for its variety, almost as a mini department store and for the splendid service.

If you were hosting a dinner party, which three other guests would you invite (from your city) and why?

In my life as a clergyman my wife and I entertain frequently. I think we’d invite Kate Taylor, who is one of the most interesting local historians, Simon Wallis who has done such a splendid job as director of The Hepworth and then (when he’s over from New York where he is organist at St Thomas’ Fifth Avenue) John Scott who was a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral and organist at St Paul’s – history, art and music all in one evening.

What is your pet hate about the city?

People being too careless about disposing of the remains of fast food and other rubbish – a real pride in our city includes looking after it.

What are your priorities?

Being bishop of a lively diocese with all that brings with it – locally, nationally and internationally alongside getting together with a marvellous family – never so easy because we all have lots to do, but it’s still an absolute priority.

What would your ideal holiday be?

Lots of choices – one of our favourites is a week on Harris and Lewis out in the Western Isles – or if we are looking for a little more warmth, one of the two great pilgrimage cities – either Assisi or Santiago da Compostela – if it were the last one then a drink in the Plaza Maior in beautiful Salamanca.

What was the book/film/play/concert/CD you have most enjoyed recently?

I think the book Romantic Moderns by Alexandra Harris which talks about English art in the 20th century: marvellous to see John Piper and indeed Barbara Hepworth mentioned there and of course their art now on display in The Hepworth Gallery.

How would you sum yourself up in a single sentence?

This is probably better answered by my wife. I think I am energetic, interested in most things and enjoy company or that could be put rather differently – exhausting, over inquisitive and garrulous.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Private Eye which I receive annually as a Christmas gift from one of my sons: as you can imagine they have had a field day with the phone hacking scandal.

How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

Optimistic, open to challenge and enjoying most of what life sends – my son always calls me a thrill seeker.

What is your favourite charity?

Lots really, but if I had to choose one favourite it would be the Wakefield-Mara Link. We are partners to a diocese in Tanzania one of the six poorest countries in the world. It is a marvellous link and in the 20 years of its existence well over £1m has been given by the people of Wakefield Diocese.