'Durham will always be in my blood'

By then of course a great deal had been done to change the landscape and renew the environment, but the memories of the economic battles of the 1980s lived on. My predecessor, David Jenkins, like many bishops before him, had fought publicly during the time of the strikes and continued the tradition of Bishops of Durham being involved in the issues of the region.

Those issues have changed but in my time there have been highly controversial matters in which, as bishop, it has been right for me to be involved. The Bishop of Durham is seen as a non-party political figure who can bring together opponents from different points of view. I have had no hesitation in getting involved in politics as it is part of my work to care for the wellbeing of all people, whether they are members of my church or not. A bishop also has an obligation to seek to be a reconciler. What he cannot do is stand aside and let people assume that religion is a private, domestic hobby. If faith in God means anything at all it must be related to the reality of people's lives. It is his creation. They are his people. So God is to be found in the rough and tumble as well as in the peace and stillness of our own devotions.

Because of these beliefs and involvements, I have discovered so many people whom I admire. It will be a wrench to leave them. The foot-and-mouth crisis brought me into frequent contact with farmers in the dales and especially with the Upper Teesdale Support Service, led by professionals and volunteers for whom I have the highest regard. I was deeply concerned about the way in which the financial institutions handled the take-over and ultimate closure of Vaux Breweries and I was involved in a number of meetings to try to save that situation.

The opencast coal developments in the North-East remain a controversial issue and at one stage I was able to bring together local residents, the developers and councillors, where we achieved a great deal more understanding as well as some practical outcomes.

Again, the communities of the North-East are sharply divided on the fluoridation of water. I took the line that the long term oral health of children was worth taking the small risks involved and raised the matter in the House of Lords after arranging a meeting of the water board, health officials and councillors. We still await the outcome of further scientific inquiry. With the regional Chamber of Commerce I took part in a series of meetings of businessmen to discuss business ethics and, as a supporter of Sunderland I am a proud trustee of the club's charity which does outstanding work among school children.

My links with the Northumbria Association took me deeply into the campaign to bring the Lindisfarne Gospels back to the North-East. I think we have won 80 per cent of that battle as next month sees the launch of two perfect facsimile copies in Durham Cathedral and on Lindisfarne itself.

My admiration for many of the civic authorities and my frequent meetings with them led me to ask questions about who makes the decisions which affect our lives. I am sorry to leave at this important juncture as the campaign hots up for the referendums next year. This has taken a lot of time, none of which I regret, for I do believe that a democratically-elected regional assembly will create a new dynamic in politics and enable strategic planning for the whole region.

Leaving Durham is sticky because so much of the heritage, the people and the unique dynamism of the region glues you to it. It gets into your bloodstream. The imaginative developments on the quaysides of our three great estuaries are paving the way for continuous improvements in our work places, our leisure facilities and our cultural diversity. We have five universities which are leading the way in their fields, new hospitals and schools and, of course, a fully fledged Test cricket ground to add to the new stadiums: St James' Park, the Stadium of Light and Riverside. All in all it's a hard place to leave but you can't stop the clock and it's time for a younger man to come. I welcome the appointment of Tom Wright but I have to admit to envying him.

As a bishop for the church as well as for the region, I have also been here through changing times. Relations between the Church of England and other churches have grown closer, particularly through our active work in social issues through the Churches Regional Commission.

The national press is fond of writing about the 'decline' of the Church of England. While it is true that overall the number of people going to church every Sunday is falling, this masks significant changes in social habits. Shopping, sport and travel have become Sunday activities so that churchgoing for many, while still a regular activity, is less frequent. More people are going to church midweek and many are travelling to choose their favourite church. A significant number of congregations are growing. The last two years have seen a marked growth in confirmations and the last nine years in the diocese of Durham have seen new and imaginative developments in over 50 parish churches which are now offering a seven day a week use of buildings for a variety of community use.

In order to meet new patterns of living, we are reorganising our parochial system to foster partnership between parishes and this is enabled by a marked increase in a variety of individual ministries. Most of the clergy of the North-East are amongst the best I have ever worked with. They are devoted to their work, resilient and adaptable to new circumstances. It has been part of my job to see that they are trained and supported well. The faithful people in the parishes have responded to their clergy's call. Over the last five years the numbers of financial givers and the amount they give has increased dramatically, and well above the Church of England national average.

So, as well as all the other positive changes, I hope the North-East can be proud of its churches and the contribution they make to enhancing our way of life and providing support and spiritual resources for every aspect of our lives. I leave knowing I could have done some things better and that I have made mistakes along the way. But I retire confident that, with an able new bishop and a marvellous team of clergy and lay people, the future bodes well. The God who inspired Cuthbert and all who have succeeded him remains central to our heritage, our identity and all that is to come.

* The Bishop's epilogue: Hear All Sides in The Northern Echo on Saturday