A NESTON teacher has been recalling his connections with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, during his student days.

Father-of-two Cassian Wheeler, who works as a religious education teacher at Neston High School, has fond memories of the young former oil executive, who, in his 30s, decided to change career and follow a path of prayer.

Mr Wheeler, of Hawarden, studied theology at St John’s College at the University of Durham from 1990-1993 and crossed paths with the archbishop, who was at the neighbouring Cranmer Hall, part of the college.

Mr Wheeler describes him as a ‘really decent chap’.

He said: “I can remember as undergraduates we were all so surprised that he had decided to turn his back on such a well-paid career in the oil industry. That gave him a certain cachet among the students.

“I remember hearing him speak in semi-formal gatherings and he always came over as very personable and not at all stand-offish. He was very welcoming.”

And the senior tutor at St John’s College at the time was one Rev Dr Peter Forster, now Bishop of Chester.

Now titled Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster, he said: “I recall the new Archbishop of Canterbury as an excellent student in the University of Durham.

“I have kept in touch with him now and again over the years, and I have every confidence that he will be an outstanding Archbishop of Canterbury.”