Man awaits trial after memorial tree felled
A 26-YEAR-OLD man, Dylan McNamara, of Bruce Glazier Terrace, Shottery Colliery, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal damage at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, in connection with the cutting-down of a Christmas tree hours after its lights were switched on. The tree, which has stood in the town in County Durham for more than ten years as a First World War memorial, was thought to have been chopped down with a chainsaw between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Wednesday of last week. A second man, aged 23, who had been arrested had “been released under investigation pending further enquiries”. Mr McNamara has been released on bail; the trial is scheduled for 15 May. The tree has been lifted back into place, to remain upright over Christmas.
Next Dean of Southwell announced
THE next Dean of Southwell is to be the Revd Stephen Evans, Rector of St Marylebone and Holy Trinity, St Marylebone, in London, since 2010. A former Midshipman at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Fr Evans studied at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, was ordained priest in 1987, and served his title as Precentor of Inverness Cathedral. He served in Brechin diocese, before moving to parishes in Peterborough diocese, where he became the Diocesan Continuing Ministerial Education Officer and Liturgical Officer. He is a member of the Church Commissioners’ Pastoral Committee, the Provincial Clergy Discipline Panel, and other committees. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Aberdeen University in 2017. He succeeds the Very Revd Nicola Sullivan, who retired last year after eight years in office (News, 12 July 2024). The Revd Dr Neil Evans, who was formerly a Canon of St Paul’s, has been serving as Interim Dean.
Bishop of Chelmsford welcomes homelessness plan
THE Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, who is the lead bishop for housing, has expressed support for the Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness, published on Thursday of last week. She welcomed the strategy of “prioritising prevention of homelessness, not just relief”. She said: “At this time of year, we remember the birth and early years of Jesus Christ, God with us, who was made homeless as a child, forced to flee with his family as a refugee. May our hearts be touched afresh by the plight of homeless families in our own communities.”
Pensions Board officer to ‘empower’ clergy for retirement
THE Church of England Pensions Board has appointed Victoria Prouse, director of client services for the Bank Workers Charity, as its Director of Financial Wellbeing Services. In the new post, created after the “Enabling Choice” consultation (News, 17 November 2023), she will lead the delivery of new financial-well-being services for clergy, which will include “a new suite of products and services directly focused on empowering clergy with greater financial agency and housing options in retirement”, a statement published last Friday said.
Wrexham pupil wins Christmas-card competition
CHURCH IN WALESMatilda Jones’s winning designA PUPIL of St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School, Wrexham, Matilda Jones, aged 11, has won the Bishop of St Asaph’s Christmas-card competition for her design of herald angels above the stable where the Holy Family are. The Bishop, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, will send the card to colleagues, friends, and family. Approximately 2000 entries were received from pupils in schools across Wales.