New Dean of Peterborough is named
CANON Tim Sledge, Vicar of Romsey in the diocese of Winchester, is to be the next Dean of Peterborough, it was announced on Monday. Canon Sledge, who is 53,previously worked in the diocese of Wakefield, and, from 2003 to 2008, was Mission Enabler in Peterborough diocese. The Very Revd Charles Taylor stood down as Dean last year, hinting that he had been forced out after a Bishop’s Visitation had criticised the cathedral’s financial management (News, 7 October).
Grenfell Tower survivors offered free holidays
THE Mothers’ Union (MU) has offered free holidays to families from Grenfell Tower who survived the fire last month (News, 15 June). The Church of England voluntary society, working with the Bishop of Kensington’s office, has made the offer through its Away From It All scheme, which has long made it possible for families experiencing stress to get away for free. The MU’s chief executive, Beverley Jullien, said that it had thought hard about how to support families caught up in the disaster, and had decided to co-ordinate its diocesan chapters to offer survivors a free holiday whenever they wished to claim it.
Former Dean of Westminster dies
THE Very Revd Dr Wesley Carr, Dean of Westminster from 1997 to 2006, died on Thursday of last week, aged 75. He had had Parkinson’s disease since his time in office. While he was at the Abbey, entry charges were introduced for visitors, as part of a “calming” initiative; and the funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother were held there, as well as a memorial service for Princess Margaret. He was previously a Canon of Chelmsford Cathedral, and then Dean of Bristol. He is survived by his widow, Natalie. Obituary to follow.
Inquiry announced into hunger among the elderly
THE All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger, led by the Labour MP Frank Field, has launched an investigation into the extent of malnourishment and hunger among the elderly. The group, which reported in 2014 on food poverty (News, 12 December 2014), said that, while foodbanks have reported that almost all their clients are of working age, they worried there was a hidden problem that pensioners were struggling to keep themselves properly fed. The group seeks to publish its findings and recommendations before Christmas.
Through the Roof signs up 100th Roofbreaker
THROUGH THE ROOF, a charity promoting access to churches for people with disabilities, is celebrating signing up its 100th “Roofbreaker” — someone committed to ensuring that disabled people play a full part in the life of their church. Lisa, the 100th Roofbreaker, whose husband and daughter are disabled, is training for ordination.
Bible-bank mission expands in the Black Country
A SCHEME for churches to distribute Bibles at foodbanks has spread to 13 churches across the West Midlands. Bible banks were started by the Black Country Mission, a voluntary organisation based at Cradley Heath Baptist Church, to encourage churches to keep a stash of Bibles and collect unused ones to give to enquirers (News, 17 March). The project now includes Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Salvation Army, and Pentecostal churches.
Correction. Last week’s TV review by Gillean Craig (Media, 14 July) should have referred to the EDL instead of the EDF. Our apologies.