Trollopians celebrate author’s bicentenary

THE Trollope Society celebrated the bicentenary of the birth of Anthony Trollope (in 1815) with a special event on Saturday. Talks, presentations, and a dinner were held in the Old National Liberal Club, which opened just after the author’s death. In recognition of his recent adaptation of Trollope’s novel Dr Thorne for ITV, Lord Fellowes, who is the society’s Vice-President, was presented with a hand-crafted Folio edition of The Duke’s Children.

Retrial for vicar after jury fails to reach verdict

THE Vicar of Haverhill with Withersfield, Canon Ian Finn, who is accused of defrauding his church of £13,000 in fees for services, is to be retried in January, after a jury failed to reach a verdict in November (News, 20 November). He has denied fraud by abuse of position by keeping the money in his own bank account (News, 23 January). Judge David Goodin granted him bail at Ipswich Crown Court this week until his next appearance.

Child-poverty figures ‘dreadful’ says Children’s Society

THE Children’s Society has expressed concern over government statistics that suggest that 200,000 more children are living in poverty today than ten years ago, despite a slight decrease in the lowest incomes. The Households Below Average Income (HBAI) statistics for 2014/15 were published by the Department for Work and Pensions on Tuesday. “These figures are truly dreadful,” the society’s chief executive, Matthew Reed, said. “The Government was repeatedly warned of the likely consequences of reducing support for the poorest people in the country and now we can see the results.”