Scottish Episcopalian Primus to retire
THE Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church since 2009, the Most Revd David Chillingworth, has announced that he will retire at the end of July. Bishop Chillingworth spent most of his ministry in Northern Ireland, serving as a dean and archdeacon, before he was elected Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane in 2005. He said that it had been a privilege to serve the Church as Primus, as the Church had “with increasing confidence been developing its mission and taking its place in the evolving story of Scotland”.
Bell-ringer lowered on winch after freak accident
A BELL-RINGER at Worcester Cathedral, Ian Bowman, broke a bone in his back after a rope accidentally caught his heel and flipped him upside down during evensong on Saturday. He had to be rescued from the tower by specialist firefighters, who winched him 24 metres to the ground, lashed to a board to protect his injured back. “The rope went round my ankle, and it took me from standing to upside-down in seconds,” he said. “It was just an accident: these things do happen sometimes in life.”
Dean’s wife takes her ‘ditties’ on the road
PAMELA GREENER, whose songs decrying VAT changes that had hamstrung restoration works at the Wakefield Cathedral became an internet sensation in 2012, is to hold a concert. Mrs Greener, who is married to the Dean, wrote and performed two “VAT ditties” directed at the Chancellor of the Exchequer at that time, George Osborne, and helped to secure a partial U-turn (News, 16 May 2012). Now, she is to sing and play her songs at her first solo concert at the cathedral to raise more money for the building works. She will then take her show on the road for more fund-raising events to assist other historic buildings. To host a concert, email pamelagreener@gmail.com
Rural churches support start-ups
GERMINATE: The Arthur Rank Centre has launched a programme to help churches in rural communities support and advise people who wish to start their own business. The programme, Germinate Enterprise, was approved on Wednesday by the Cinnamon Network, which offers advice, funding, support and leadership training to churches. It was supported by the Prince’s Countryside Fund. www.germinate.net/enterprise
Bells of York Minister to ring again
THE bells of York Minster may ring again for Easter after the cathedral advertised for a new head of the bell tower, this week, to recruit a new band of volunteer ringers. The bells fell silent last year after the entire band of ringers were summarily sacked over a safeguarding issue (News, 19 October). The post, which was previously unpaid, comes with an annual salary of £7000 for ten hours a week, which covers practice, weekly services, and special festivals. Applications close on 11 March (Classified, 10 February).
Jesuits condemn ‘right to rent’ scheme
THE Government’s “right to rent” scheme, requiring private landlords to ensure that tenants have the right to rent in the UK, would create “a hostile environment for everyone”, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has said. Responding to a report on the scheme from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, published on Monday, the director of JRS UK, Sarah Teather, said: “Legislating with deliberate intent to make those without immigration status street-homeless is the kind of toxic act that infects everything with its unsavoury flavour.”
Corrections. The report “Bell-ringer inspires fund-raising drive for cancer charity” (News, 27 January) stated: “The £7 million so far raised is with NHS Blood and Transplant, ring-fenced to fund stem-cell transplants for blood cancer.” NHS Blood and Transplant has not received this donation and does not fund stem-cell transplants.
In the article “Clothing the Word made flesh” (Features, 3 February), Christina Rees was misquoted as speaking of the “Docetist” rather than the “Donatist heresy”. Our apologies.