The Bishop of Bradford will ordain 11 deacons and nine priests this weekend ahead of his retirement later in the month.

The annual ordination ceremonies at Bradford Cathedral will be one of the last official engagements carried out by the Right Reverend David James.

This year’s deacons come from mixed backgrounds including a former banker, caterer, teacher and accountant.

Chartered accountant Timothy Calow will serve in the parishes of Sutton, Cowling and Lothersdale. He worked for Yorkshire Water before giving up his job to bring up his two daughters and support his wife Christine’s medical career. Stephen Dawson, who will serve in the parishes of High and Low Bentham and in the wider Ewecross Deanery, works for a building and funeral company.

Grandmother Gloria Hardisty will serve in the parish of St James at Thornton, she has been an outside caterer and worked in the Civil Service.

John Long takes up his role in the parish of St Mark’s Utley after retiring from 30 years in the banking industry.

Former middle school teacher in Keighley Liz Moy will serve in the parishes of Harden and Wilsden, Denholme and Cullingworth. Former children’s worker and conservation charity worker Jonathan Nicholas will serve in the parishes of All Saints and St Oswald’s in Little Horton.

Father-of-three Richard Parkinson will serve in the Parish of All Saints’ Ilkley. He has worked in Christian retail management and finance.

Former deputy head teacher Pat Reid who will serve in the Parish of All Saints’ Ilkley, got an MA in Victorian Studies when she retired.

And John Smith who will serve in the Parish of Holy Trinity, Idle worked in elderly and hospice care. Pat Smith has worked in the accounts department of a fire and flood restoration company, and will serve in the Parish of St James, Silsden. Finally Debbi Turley who will serve in the Parish of St Mark’s Utley has spent a year in the regional office for Barnado’.

The nine priests will be ordained on Saturday and the 11 deacons will be ordained on Sunday.