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The newly installed Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, is returning to his Alma Mater for a special day of celebration and welcome at The University of Nottingham. Bishop Paul has strong connections with the University, city and county where he developed his vocation. He graduated from the University in 1977 with a combined degree in English and History and then stayed on in Nottingham for three years. During this time he worked as a social work assistant, helping elderly people, families and individuals in several areas including some of the county’s former colliery communities. In more recent years, he has retained links with The University of Nottingham through his daughter Caroline, also a former student who graduated with a degree in Archaeology in 2007. His visit to the University’s campuses on 21st April will be a trip back in time for the Bishop but also a chance to see the changes, growth and developments at the University since he left three decades ago. The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, said: “Returning to The University of Nottingham where I spent three very happy and significant years will be a real highlight for me in these first weeks as Diocesan bishop. I am particularly looking forward to seeing what student life is like now, some 30+ years on from when I was studying there. Both universities in the city play a very important role in its life and county as a whole. I look forward to seeing how we can work together in the future." Welcoming the alumnus Bishop on his visit next Wednesday will be the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Greenaway. He said: “We are delighted to see such a distinguished former student back on campus and look forward to showing Bishop Paul around University Park where he studied thirty or so years ago, as well as giving him a tour of our Jubilee Campus which has transformed the old Raleigh factory site he would have known back then.” Professor of Theology and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Alan Ford, will guide Bishop Paul on a tour of the Theology Department at Highfield House on University Park. They will also engage in discussions about the Department’s distance learning programme. Professor Ford said: “We look forward to welcoming Bishop Paul back to University Park, and to showing him how the Theology and Religious Studies Department gives students a broad theological education not only here in Nottingham, but also in the world beyond through our new distance learning degree.” The University’s Anglican chaplains and advisors from all faiths will also have a chance to meet and chat with the Bishop during his visit. A special lunch is being laid on in his honour to which current students involved in the Chaplaincy are also invited.
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