Edward Ralph Wickham (called Ted; 3 November 1911 – 1994) was a long serving Bishop of Middleton.[1]
Wickham was educated at the University of London and was ordained: made deacon in Advent 1938 (18 December)[2] and ordained priest the following St Thomas' Day (21 December 1939) — both times by Harold Bilbrough, Bishop of Newcastle, at Newcastle Cathedral.[3] His first post after curacy was as chaplain at the Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton. His subsequent experience was largely based in industrial areas[4] and included a nine-year stint as a canon residentiary at Sheffield Cathedral.[5]
He was consecrated a bishop on 30 November 1959, by Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of York, at York Minster.[6] He then served as Bishop of Middleton (a suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Manchester) until his retirement in 1982. A noted ecumenicist he wrote widely on the churches' role in a changing world. His published works include Church and People in an Industrial City.[7]