THE Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Justin Welby said the Church can help Britain come together after Brexit.

He made the comment during a visit to Ludlow and south Shropshire.

The Archbishop was in Shropshire on a three-day visit to the Hereford Diocese.

“It is difficult when the congregation is divided but can we disagree well rather than disagree with bitterness,” he said.

“This is something the church has often got wrong but when it gets it right, the capacity to have radically different views, to be united around the worship of Christ and love for your neighbour enables people to disagree with passion and yet still to care for each other.’

Rector, Nancy Cleaton, who looks after churches in the Church Stretton area, was cooking bacon for farmers at the Butty Van.

“This is the most rural diocese in Britain and it’s great that he’s come to see farmers in this part of the country,” she said.

“I’m sure that his visit will give him a different perspective on his work and his position. Farming is a very lonely occupation and farmers do struggle so it’s great that they can come together at something like the Butty Van.

“Having the chance today to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury is something special and something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”

Earlier in the day, at St Laurence Church in Ludlow, the Archbishop launched the Hereford Diocese ‘Mission and Mortar’ digital tool kit, digital software designed to help parishioners rejuvenate their church buildings.

It’s hoped that the tool kit, which has been developed with £38,000 of funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will eventually be rolled out nationally.

In the evening, the Archbishop shared a drink with people at Ludlow Brewery, at a ‘Setting God’s People Free’ event, an initiative which helps people live a Christian life. The Hereford Diocese has 420 churches in 356 parishes.