Church of England appoints vicar to serve at UK’s first Media City

The Revd Hayley Matthews has been appointed to serve as Chaplain to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester.

The Revd Hayley Matthews has been appointed to serve as Chaplain to MediaCityUK at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester.

Revd Matthews is currently a curate at Lancaster Priory, a member of the Bishop of Blackburn’s communications group, Chaplain to the Duke’s Theatre and an honorary Chaplain to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regimental Association. Hayley also trained as a Signaller and Combat Infantryman through the Territorial Army.

Speaking about her appointment Revd Matthews said; “I am delighted to become the first Chaplain for MediaCityUK at Salford Quays. Spirituality is a vital component of any authentic community, and there has been some creative thinking between planners, providers, and the Diocese of Manchester about incorporating a Chaplaincy within the city.”

During her time at MediaCityUK Revd Matthews will be helping to develop a space called The Anchor, a new concept in chaplaincy, which has been developed to complement MediaCityUK. She will be part of a team which includes communicators, clergy, business people and local residents.

Speaking about the Anchor project Revd Matthews said; “The Anchor will provide a distinctly Christian presence for MediaCityUK, the chaplaincy will also provide a space for people of all faiths and none to celebrate question and be inspired by the work of regeneration and transformation that we are privileged to be a part of here. I hope that for many the gap between sacred and secular will lessen as we integrate faith and spirituality with daily life, and that our responsibility as communicators through all forms of media will be challenged and developed positively.”

Revd Matthews is due to move to Manchester in September, she said: “Greater Manchester is a vibrant and diverse place to live and work in, with Salford Quays offering the opportunity to experience a wide variety of media, cultural and sporting activities alongside the local community, particularly those from St Clement’s parish, Ordsall. I am really looking forward to living and working with local residents, those working at MediaCityUK and the media students of Salford University.”

The Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester and lead spokesman on communications for the Church of England, said: “I congratulate Hayley on her appointment. Peel Media, the developers of MediaCityUK, have been very open to the idea of developing a spiritual base within the development.”

Bryan Gray, Chairman, Peel Media, said: “We are delighted that Hayley has been appointed to the chaplaincy and we look forward to welcoming her to MediaCityUK. She will be taking up a key role within our growing community as we build towards the completion of phase one in 2011.”

The initial three-year post has been sponsored by the Church Commissioners.