Bishop Alastair has invited his clergy to the conference and to hear guest speakers the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, and Professor John Hull.

Parish clergy greatly value this opportunity to meet with their colleagues because many of them only meet with fellow clergy every few weeks for chapter meetings.

"It is an immensely valuable occasion, not only because we hear excellent speakers, but because we all have a chance to actually spend some time together. The nature of parish ministry is very much based around clergy working in small teams, but usually on their own when it comes to ministerial colleagues - so this gives us a chance to get together, to share experiences and to hear about each other's work," said Bishop Alastair today.

There will be workshops and leisure activities too, and regular services of worship for all participants.