HE began life as the son of a builder - and it is perhaps fitting that building work will be one of the first issues to pre-occupy the Archbishop of York when he becomes a simple parish priest.

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr David Hope stunned many last year when he announced his plans to relinquish his position as the second most senior clergyman in the Church of England.

And the man who is used to speaking out on national and international issues will turn his attentions to St Margaret's new church hall when he moves to Ilkley.

In his elevated position he is used to mixing with leading figures on the world stage - and despite the marked contrast he is looking forward with real enthusiasm to the minutiae of life in the parish.

He said the commencement of work on the new hall would be an exciting development, and the church's new family services were also an interesting innovation.

Whatever his present position he is clearly approaching his new role with a certain amount of humility - stressing he had no intention of going in with a host of fixed ideas of his own.

"I think it is important that I don't go in and impose my ideas. The parish already has some interesting ideas," he said.

"It is important, I think, to spend time listening and talking to people and working out together what the future strategy of the church should be."

Dr Hope, 64, is celebrating his tenth year as Archbishop and his 20th as Bishop but he stresses he has no regrets in swapping Bishopthorpe Palace for the life of a parish priest.

"I am looking forward to becoming part of the local community again - because that is not very possible here - and really getting into the life of the parish and getting to know the wider community in Ilkley."

And he is looking forward to the day to day work of a parish priest which does not normally form part of his role as an archbishop.

"I hardly ever do any baptisms, weddings or funerals - the significant moments in people's lives," he said.

"You can get too removed from all of that - although I try to ensure that I get around the parishes quite a lot."

Dr Hope had already made up his mind to finish his career as a parish priest when he was approached by the patrons of St Margaret's - an approach which came as a surprise despite being one of around 100.

"It had been a huge privilege to have been archbishop and to have lived here. But I felt a very strong pull to finish my ministry as I had started it.

"I had already decided in principle that if I didn't make a move now I probably never would make a move."

"It is my tenth year as archbishop and 20th as bishop - so I reckon I have served my time, as it were," he laughed.

And he stressed he had been determined to be judged on his merits rather than as an archbishop.

"I went to meet the church patrons and made it very clear to them that if they didn't think I was the right person they should say so."

But the church wardens who interviewed Dr Hope were impressed by his humility and warmth.

He was offered the post and he accepted - a move which made national headlines and amazed some.

"There was some surprise," he said. "I think some thought I had taken leave of my senses. But on the whole people do welcome it really."

His time as archbishop will end on January 15 with a final leaving service in York Minster.

And it will herald the end of an era in which he has seen issues such as the ordination of women and gay clergy threatening to tear the Church apart.

But amid the heated debate Dr Hope has struck a conciliatory note, stressing the importance of continued dialogue by all sides.

Although he is personally 'hesitant' about women becoming bishops he added: "Clearly I recognise that we live in a church where there are different opinions, and we have to seek to live together even with our differences.

"If Christians cannot speak together what right have we to say to the Palestinians and Jews - or anybody else - you should be sitting down and talking together.

"It seems to me we have to practise what we preach."

On the issue of gay clergy he adds: "At the moment it is not possible as far as the Church is concerned but we recognise the fact that people have different opinions.

"There continues to be discussion and debate on both of these major issues - and we shall have to wait and see how things unfold."

And despite changes in society which seems to be heading increasingly towards secularism Dr Hope stressed that the Church still played an important role, in a spiritual and a practical sense.

Whilst acknowledging a culture change he said many people were turning towards the churches in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami.

"On the other hand you then have events like we are just experiencing now where people still seem to need the churches," he said.

"I think the current situation is a great challenge to faith and a great test of faith - but equally it has dramatically shown the godlike qualities of humanity in terms of the overwhelming response."

He pointed to the incredible rush to give which has come from young and old, rich and poor.

"I have been told someone walked into a bank in York and gave a cheque for £250,000," he said. And he revealed that his diocese was planning to make at least £100,000 available.

But also of great importance are the small donations from people who themselves have very little, as well as the way people are working together, he said.

"You are finding that the great religions of the world are coming together, and people who may have been against each other are united in their response."

"The sad thing is always that it takes a calamity to draw people together."

He stressed the need for religions to work together rather than oppose each other.

"The Chief Rabbi has written about religion that it is like the weather - it can be very good, and very good indeed, or very bad, and very bad indeed."

He pointed out the inter-faith diaologue which was already on-going, particularly in places such as Bradford, and he stressed the need for this work to continue.

"There is a considerable amount of work already under way and I think it behoves us all to continue that, because no-one gets anywhere by fighting over religion."

Dr Hope, who was born in Wakefield, has enjoyed many highs and some lows during his church career. The lows have included the death of his parents in 1981 and 1987.

The highs have included an unexpected knighthood bestowed on him by the Queen, and the Diocese centenary celebrations in 1998. Enormous crowds attended the open air celebratory service at Huddersfield football ground.

"It was amazing - I think it was the biggest crowd they have ever had," he laughed.

But now a little down-sizing is in order, with an average congregation of around 80 at St Margarets

Dr Hope will move to the Wells Road vicarage at the beginning of February and he will officially take over at St Margaret's on March 2.