Church sells silver chalice for £1.3
million
A SILVER cup dating from the 15th century has been sold to the
British Museum by a Wiltshire church to pay for repairs to its
Grade I-listed building. St Cyriac's, in Lacock, was given
permission to sell the extremely rare Lacock Cup in December of
last year after a consistory court ruled that the circumstances of
sale were justified. The British Museum will pay St Cyriac's £1.3
million, and will make a replica of the cup for display.
Llandaff Cathedral confirms choir
redundancies
FIVE lay clerks, a part-time choral scholar, and the assistant
organist were made redundant on 20 December by Llandaff Cathedral,
despite weeks of negotiation (News, 8 November, 20 December). The
Chapter said that the move was necessary to reduce the Cathedral's
financial deficit, and will save about £45,000. The decision has
been condemned by the Incorporated Society of Musicians.
Service held for teenager found in graveyard
THE Priest-in-Charge of All Saints', Didcot, the Revd Karen
Beck, led a service on 21 December to remember Jayden Parkinson,
the 17-year-old whose remains were found in a grave in the church's
cemetery two weeks ago (News, 20 December). Ms
Beck said that Jayden "had a light shining in her", adding: "We
mustn't be overcome by evil. We must overcome evil with good." Ben
Blakeley, aged 22, of Christchurch Road, Reading, has been charged
with her murder.
Cleric in court over indecent images of
children
A PRIEST from the Wirral has appeared in Wirral Magistrates
Court, charged with possessing 8212 indecent images of children.
The Priest-in-Charge of St Paul's, Seacombe, and St Luke's,
Poulton, the Revd Ian Hughes, entered no plea in court on 18
December, and was released on bail. He was suspended by the Church
of England in May after his arrest.