FROM priesthood to pies is surely a long, and some may say, unusual journey.

But it's one made by the Marketing Manager of Greenhalgh's Craft Bakery Ltd., Patrick Kavanagh.

Throughout his youth in County Wexford, Ireland, Patrick had one major ambition - to enter the priesthood.

He spent five years in a seminary but, shortly before he was to be ordained, Patrick realised that perhaps the calling was not for him.

Much soul-searching and deliberation followed until he decided to leave and move on.

The 34-year-old explains: "I wasn't 100 per cent sure that I wanted to give up the chance of getting married and having a family.

"My beliefs were, and still are, the same, of course, but the longing to have a wife and children were stronger."

Patrick came over to England in 1987, joined Greenhalgh's just over a year ago and is based at the company's head office on Crescent Road, Lostock.

But his five years in the seminary hasn't gone to waste because Patrick says he feels there is a distinctive connection between priesthood and his position as marketing manager.

"I wanted to join the priesthood because I wanted to make an impact within the community," he explains.

"My job as marketing manager brings me into contact with, perhaps not a community as such, but definitely with many different people.

"I'm responsible for the strategic direction of Greenhalgh's, taking it towards the Millennium with both medium and long-term vision.

"My aim is to listen to what our customers want, bring it back to the board at Greenhalgh's and then, hopefully, be able to give that product to our customers."

Patrick, who recently married, doesn't see his role confined to within the company. He says what happens on the outside keeps him abreast of what's going on in the market place.

"I make sure we keep up with what's new and let our customers know what we're doing," he says. "Their reaction to anything new is paramount to our success.

"For example, right now it's very much the sandwich season and my brain is crammed with ideas for new fillings and breads. I don't think I ever switch off, even at home. If something comes into my mind I have to write it down."

Patrick may be based in Lostock but he makes it his business to keep in touch with the world by visiting the company's outlets on a regular basis.

He laughs: "Maybe a couple of times a week, I climb into my car and go where it takes me. Thankfully I always end up at a Greenhalgh shop in some nearby town.

''I love chatting to the staff and customers there, that's when you find out how people tick."

This affable Irishman describes himself as a "pure optimist" who can "walk on water and see the sunshine in every aspect of life"

"It really is the way I am," he smiles, "and I think it helps me in my job."

When he's not working, Patrick admits to loving rock and roll music and visiting the gym.

He says: "I even find time to write poetry but sadly haven't found time to collar a publisher into doing anything with it yet."

He laughs: "I love poetry, I must be a true romantic at heart but of course, we Irishmen are."

pic ref nt patrick Report by Karen Stephen Patrick Kavanagh, marketing manager for Greenhalgh's, with Jessekah Lee in the Farnworth store (Ref: F1640/33)

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Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.