Kade takes charge as Boy Bishop

Kade May will be enthroned as Boy Bishop at a service at Oldham Parish Church on Sunday — a ceremony with roots in the Middle Ages.

The custom was widespread for centuries, a boy symbolically taking over the bishop’s responsibilities during Christmas. Oldham reintroduced the tradition four years ago and Kade, a member of the church and Sunday school, will be dressed in full vestments and mitre and carry a pastoral staff.

Sunday’s service starts at 10.30am and will be performed by the Bishop of Middleton, Mark Davies

Kade will hold the position until Epiphany on January 9.

The church’s annual Christmas tree festival will open at 7.30pm on Friday. Charities, organisations and schools have decorated 56 real trees and people can pop in daily from 11am to 5pm until Sunday, December 9, to see them.