The Bishop of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe has been visiting friends, and trains, in Tywyn.

Right Reverend Cleophas Lunga previously worked as a parish priest in the same parish where Talyllyn Railway volunteers, Nigel and Celia Adams, had also served.

They are now both retired from full time ministry and living in Tywyn, where they have been very active volunteers for many years on the railway.

Following his election as Bishop of Matabeleland in 2008, Bishop Cleophas’ former parishes in the Coventry area have maintained an interest in and support for his ministry in Zimbabwe.

While he was in the UK attending meetings in London recently, Bishop Cleophas visited his former churches in Coventry and he also made a visit to Tywyn.

He addressed ‘Churches Together in Tywyn’ to tell people about his work in a very different and often challenging diocese.

The diocese of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe covers an area of 200 by 400 miles; over half the size of the UK.

Much of the area is linked only by rough bush roads, so a visit to one of his more remote parishes from his Cathedral base in Bulaweyo often means a car journey of several days.

He was invited to take a ride on the Talyllyn Railway, where he joined the engine crew on the footplate of Loco No 7 Tom Rolt for the journey to Nant Gwernol and was pleased to be able to thank the railway for the support that members and friends have given to his work.

See this week’s north editions, in shops and online on Thursday