A senior West Midlands’ vicar has issued an impassioned defence of the Black Country in an attempt to attract other clergy to apply for vacant posts in the area. The Revd Preb Richard Inglesby, Vicar of Moxley and Area Dean of Wednesbury, wrote a stirring defence of the region in a foreword to the parish profile (job description) for St Bartholomew’s Church in Wednesbury – a church which has been seeking a new vicar for nearly two years.

The post of Vicar of Wednesbury is one of a number of vacancies in the area which the Diocese of Lichfield has had difficulty filling. The Post of Team Rector of Bilston has been vacant since August 2008; and the post of Vicar of the Good Shepherd with St John in West Bromwich has been vacant since December 2008.

In his foreword, Richard Inglesby writes: “The West Midlands may not register very high on your ‘most desirable’ list of places to live and work. But don’t be deceived by common misconceptions, often based on no more than motorway delays or Jeremy Clarkson’s derogatory remarks. As someone who came to work here from a leafier environment, I and my family have found many positives to outweigh the lack of so-called suburban comforts.”

He cites the “great-hearted Black Country folk”, who he describes as a people “with a loyalty and sense of humour born from smiling despite adversity” and he praises the local dialect as reflecting “a sub-culture with ancient roots going back centuries.” And he says that nearby Birmingham has the best music culture in the country outside London; and he praises the theatrical offerings available in Birmingham and Wolverhampton – both cities accessible through the Midlands Metro tram line which runs through Wednesbury.

He adds: “Within an hour’s drive you find some of the loveliest landscape anywhere. There’s Worcestershire and the Malverns, Cannock Chase and the variety of Staffordshire, and the treasures of Shropshire which are little-known elsewhere. For a short breather from the parish there’s Sandwell Valley Country Park with its RSPB reserve, within 15 minutes.”

And he praises the number of events to “enrich the diocese” planned throughout the year at Lichfield Cathedral; and lists the Maundy Thursday Eucharist, the annual Renewal Celebration and the Selwyn Lecture as particular examples.

His foreword isn’t merely a rose-tinted view of the Black Country; and it acknowledges that Wednesbury, like other urban areas, has its problems: “It registers quite significantly on current deprivation indices, with the attendant social concerns which one would expect.” But he lists a number of church-based initiatives which provide practical support and care in the area, including the Black Country Urban Industrial Mission with its workplace chaplains; the Lighthouse Project providing one-to-one support for people and families in need; the Centrepoint Project, aiming to provide young people with support and community involvement, particularly through theatre.

He adds: “St Bart’s has a lot to offer its next incumbent. There’s always the potential for growth through the Occasional Offices. Having married around ten couples there, I know how much they appreciate the friendship and support they receive. The church’s standing in the community is high, and opportunities for outreach are being explored by an able lay team, now awaiting someone who can lead them into the next stage of their future.”

The Bishop of Wolverhampton, the Rt Revd Clive Gregory, supported Richard Inglesby’s claims, saying: “I have been in the Black Country and south Staffordshire for just over two years and in that time I have discovered what a wonderful place it is in which to live, work and minister. I would urge any priest who is put off from applying for posts in this area because of its reputation to think again – the reality is that this is a great place to be. Forget the jibes; come and take a look and ‘see the Black Country in colour’ as the advertising slogan says!”

In addition to Staffordshire and the northern half of Shropshire, the Diocese of Lichfield is the Church of England in Walsall, Wolverhampton and the northern half of Sandwell – covering much of the Black Country. Current vacancies are advertised at lichfield.anglican.org/vacancies; and include:

Parish	Post	Vacant since	Status
Black Country
Wednesbury (St Bartholomew’s)	Vicar	Jan 2008	Being re-advertised
Bilston	Team Rector	Aug 2008	Re-advertised soon
West Bromwich (Good Shepherd with St John)	Vicar (and college chaplain)	Dec 2008	Being re-advertised
West Bromwich Network Church	Pioneer Leader (lay or ordained)	Oct 2009 (new)	Closing date just passed
Neighbouring Area
Shareshill and Essington	Priest in Charge	Feb 2009	Being re-advertised
Smestow Vale	Team Vicar of Bobbington and Trysull	April 2009	Closing date just passed
Smestow Vale	Team Vicar of Swindon and Himley	May 2009	Closing date just passed
The Parish (Designate) of Cannock and Huntingdon	Associate Minister	New post	Closing date just passed
The Parish (Designate) of Chadsmoor	Vicar	New post	Closing date just passed