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Home news in brief

by
20 July 2012

MIRFIELD

Under the hammer: a donated set of Regency jewellery (above) is part of a series of "star lots" that are being auctioned by the Community of the Resurrection, Mirfield, on 10 November, to raise money to pay for the refurbishment and renovation of its church

Under the hammer: a donated set of Regency jewellery (above) is part of a series of "star lots" that are being auctioned by the Community of the Res...

A REPORT by the government adviser Louise Casey, calling for greater intervention in "troubled families", must not be used to lay the blame for the country's problems "solely at the doors of parents", the Children' Society has warned. Launching her report for the Department of Communities and Local Government on Wednesday, Ms Casey said that social workers must help 120,000 dysfunctional families break a "grim" cycle of abuse. The Children's Society's policy director, Enver Solomon, said that the impact of austerity measures and the recession had been "largely overlooked", and would lead to a rise in the numbers of children "forced to live in families blighted by deprivation and hardship".

WORK on a building site is seen as a job to avoid, but is more attractive to teenagers than ordination, a survey suggests. The survey of 14-18-year-olds, carried out by CITB-Construction Skills, found that manual jobs in construction were in the top five least popular career options, as well as careers in the clergy, agriculture, hairdressing, and beauty.

CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL and the University of Kent have joined forces to prevent the break-up of the Mendham Collection, an assortment of 5000 manuscripts, early books, and pamphlets. The collection, formed in the 19th century by Joseph Mendham, an Anglican clergyman, has been looked after by the university and cathedral for nearly 30 years, but is owned by the Law Society of England and Wales, which has announced plans to sell its most valuable items as part of a fund-raising drive.

A RETIRED priest from Eastbourne, Canon Gordon Rideout, accused of multiple sex-offences against children, appeared at Mid Sussex Magistrates Court on Monday. No plea was entered. The Canon was first arrested in March on suspicion of sexual assaults committed against nine young people between 1965 and 1972 (News, 9 March). He was arrested again in April after four new allegations were made (News, 4 May). A hearing will now be held at Lewes Crown Court on 19 October.

STEPHEN FARROW, the man charged with the murder of the Vicar of Thornbury, the Revd John Suddards, has pleaded not guilty. He entered the plea at Bristol Crown Court on Friday 6 July. The trial will begin on 8 October. Mr Suddards was found stabbed to death at his vicarage in Thornbury, Gloucester, on 14 February ( News, 17 February).

ANGLICAN CATHOLIC congregations across England are to be supported by a National Adviser in Catholic Evangelism. The new post, combined with the incumbency of St Matthew's, Carver Street, in Sheffield, was created after discussions between the Bishops of Sheffield and Beverley, and the Church Army, and is being supported financially by Catholic charities. The appointment will be based at the Church Army's Wilson Carlile Centre, and is likely to be advertised in the autumn.

Correction. Our General Synod report (Synod, 13 July) incorrectly attributed a speech by the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, the Ven. Clive Mansell (Rochester), opposing the adjournment of the debate on the draft women-bishops Measure, to Canon David Felix (Chester). Canon Felix did not speak on the adjournment, and voted for it. We apologise for this error.

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