PCC seeks to save ‘angelic’ roof from crumbling spire
THE PCC of a Cambridgeshire church known for its carved “angel roof” is launching an appeal to raise the £250,000 needed to save the crumbling spire. St Wendreda’s, March, has substantial structural issues, meaning that the bells can no longer be rung, and there is a risk to the public and also to the 118 decoratively carved angels and 2700 fleur-de-lis that adorn the roof beams. The Vicar, the Revd Ruth Clay, said that the church had “one of the finest double hammerbeam timber roofs in Britain”, and that the fund-raising effort would benefit from a team of volunteer experts in philanthropy, donor management, and relationship management. “We also want to create a database of supporters, donors, and members of the public who wish to be kept up to date with the project; so anyone with expertise in IT, databases, and helping us communicate messages will also be very welcome.” The spire has been examined and scaffolding surveys carried out. Stephanie Norris Architects Ltd is leading on the project with the PCC.
Friends of churches lobby for grant extension
THE Friends of Friendless Churches have made a further appeal to supporters to lobby the Government to extend the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, established in 2001, but which is due to expire on 31 March 2025. Under its terms, VAT on eligible repairs or alterations to a listed place of worship worth more than £1000 can be reclaimed. In a letter to its supporters, the charity writes: “No doubt you are aware that the government is reviewing all expenditure schemes in the run up to the October budget. The Listed Places of Worship Scheme could be cut.” It continues: “If you have experience of the scheme and its value, please do consider adding your voice to the cause.” A letter to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has also been sent.
Breach of abortion ‘safe zones’ to be punishable
“PROTECTION zones” around abortion clinics will be in force from 31 October, the Government announced on Tuesday in a move to safeguard “women accessing this vital health service”. Anyone found guilty of breaking the new law is to face an unlimited fine. These “safe access buffer zones will make it illegal for anyone to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises”, a government announcement says. “The law will apply within a 150-metre radius of the abortion service provider.” The Safeguarding Minister, Jess Phillips, said: “No one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this. We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse, and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to health care.” On Monday, an army veteran, Adam Smith-Connor, attended Poole Magistrates’ Court charged under the the Public Spaces Protection Order with breaching the buffer zone of an abortion facility in Bournemouth, where he was “praying silently”, ADF UK reported.
Matthews contributes to ‘good mining’ report
“IT IS clear we cannot have a global energy transition without mining,” but minerals entering global supply chains must flow from “responsible extraction”, the chief responsible-investment officer at the Church of England Pensions Board, Adam Matthews, has said. In a statement on behalf of the Principles for Responsible Investment, which he represents on the UN secretary-general’s Advisory Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, he said: “Good practice exists in mining and this now needs to become the global minimum with a functioning market underpinned by traceability where no mine should be developed without a view to these principles and associated actions.” Mr Matthews contributed to the recommendations included in the panel’s outcomes report, Actions and Principles for Justice and Equity, published last week. He also chairs the Global Investor Commission on Mining 2030.
Church school’s finance manager sentenced for fraud
A FORMER finance manager of Bramcote C of E Primary School, in Nottinghamshire, Wendy Gill, 61, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has been sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court to two years and one month in prison for fraud after embezzling £70,000 from the school between 2016 and 2022, SWNS reports. An investigation was launched by the school in 2022, and she was suspended, after the governors discovered a £21,000 deficit. Ms Gill admitted fraud by abuse of position, but did not say what the money had been spent on. Police Staff Investigator Marie Slater, of Nottinghamshire Police CID, said that Ms Gill had been “well-liked” and “trusted implicitly but betrayed the school in a matter that caused immense shock and distress”.
Harvest appeal in Coventry aids Bolivia
THE charity Feed The Hungry UK has issued its new Harvest appeal, Can + Coin Campaign, to encourage food donations to Coventry Foodbank, and monetary donations to support the foodbank’s Mission Bolivia project. The project supports children, young people, and mothers living on the streets of Santa Cruz, together with work towards the completion of a new children’s centre. Coventry Foodbank’s project manager, Dee Ward, said: “Businesses, schools, organisations, and individuals are being invited to give a food item to Coventry Foodbank, with a coin taped on it, that will be used to support a feeding programme for street children in Bolivia.” The appeal runs until November. coventryfoodbank.org.uk/harvest