FORTY years of ministry at ‘the sharp end’ will be celebrated by the Bishop of Burnley later this year.

The Right Rev John Goddard began his life in the priesthood on the tough council estates of Scarborough and Middlesbrough.

And within six months of his move to Burnley, the town was rocked by some of the most serious disturbances that have ever been seen in Lancashire.

But throughout it all Bishop John, 63, with the support of his wife Vivienne, has been able to find strength in the diverse and challenging nature of his work.

“If you work at the ‘sharp end’ then the blessings you will receive, through the people you meet, are marvellous,” he said.

This September will see the Society of the Holy Cross, of which Bishop John has been a member since his early career, stage a sung festal eucharist at Holy Trinity Church in Tarleton, near Preston.

The father-of-two’s first parish was St John the Evangelist in Southbank, Cleveland, and he held two further posts on Teesside before becoming a dean.

Later he was vice-principal of Edinburgh Theological College for four years.

His first posting to Lancashire came at the invitation of the former Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Alan Chesters.

An eight-and-a-half year stint as Rector of Ribbleton followed before he was asked to consider the Burnley role. “I came to Lancashire not knowing a great deal about the area but when I retire in three or four years it is where we plan to make our home,” added Bishop John.

The bishop has the rare disinction of being ordained at York Minster as a deacon, priest, canon, canon emeritus and his current role.

His adopted sons Mikey and Gareth, both now in their 30s, work as a social worker and teacher respectively.