Cathedrals promote their stained glass on social media

A NEW social-media campaign showcasing some of the finest stained glass in England’s cathedrals, Divine Light, has been launched, based on a volume of the same name by Janet Gough, an architectural historian who was formerly secretary of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission. The campaign, run by the Association of English Cathedrals, includes one of the earliest stained-glass schemes in Canterbury, to mark the murder of Thomas Becket; Portsmouth’s Dunkirk and D-Day windows; Liverpool’s great west window, which depicts the Liver Building and the Mersey Ferry; and Coventry’s baptistery window. The virtual campaign will run every day through Advent and Christmas. www.facebook.com/engcathedrals

C of E’s Chief Education Officer to move on

CANON Nigel Genders is to step down after more than a decade as the Church of England’s Chief Education Officer and chief executive of the National Society. He will take up a new appointment as the Government’s Chief Schools Adjudicator in February. Since 2014, he has overseen work with more than 4700 C of E schools educating more than one million children. Under his leadership, the Church updated its educational vision document Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good.

Drink-driving vicar crashed his Bishop’s car

A PRIEST in the diocese of Lincoln has been convicted of a drink-driving offence after crashing his Bishop’s car into a Skoda belonging to the partner of the actress Heather Bell, who plays Clarrie Grundy in the Radio 4 serial The Archers. The Daily Mail reported this week that the Revd Sion Hughes Carew, 40, was handcuffed and arrested in front of his own parishioners, while the vehicle belonging to the Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, was left wedged in a garden wall. Fr Hughes Carew worked for ten years at Church House, Westminster, in the Legal Office and elsewhere. He was ordained priest in 2022, and became of Vicar of All Saints’, Lincoln, and Priest-in-Charge of St Mary-le-Wigford, Lincoln, in February. A diocesan statement said: “Pastoral support and guidance is being offered to all concerned, and will always be available for those who need it. We pray for all those who are affected by this news, mindful of our calling to love and serve one another in Christ’s name.”

Commissioners announce £275m bond

THE Church Commissioners last week announced the issuance of a £275-million bond, with the proceeds to be invested to generate returns to support the ministry of the Church of England. The First Church Estates Commissioner, Alan Smith, said: “Our first bond issue in 2022 supported an investment strategy that enabled record distributions to the Church of England. We are taking this opportunity to raise funds within the prudent leverage limits set by our board to invest as we support the mission of the church. Issuing another bond will give us the agility we need to invest wisely as we navigate an uncertain global economy.” The Commissioners issued their first bond in 2022, raising £550 million in two tranches.

Pilgrimage pair raise money for West Bank orphans

TWO women have completed a two-year pilgrimage to every Anglican cathedral in England. They began in 2023 with York Minster and concluded last week with Ripon Cathedral. Clare Slator, 65, and Dorothy Gray, 72, were raising funds and awareness for Palestinian pupils at the orphanage Jeel Al-Amal School, near Bethany (News, 9 August, 2024). Ms Slator, from Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge, told the BBC: “It’s taken two years, and it’s been an absolutely incredible experience.” Ms Slator and Ms Gray, from Ripon, estimated that they had raised about £2000 to allow pupils to go on to university.

University Church café, served notice in 2023, closes

THE Vaults & Garden café at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford, opened for the last time this week. An eviction notice was served in 2023 on the company that had run it for the past two decades (News, 8 September, 2023), and the PCC has plans to develop the site on the Radcliffe Square side of the church. Will Pouget opened the café in 2003 is in the Old Congregation House, which is thought to date from 1320 and the oldest university rather than college building.

St Paul’s opens first boarding house for girls

ST PAUL’S Cathedral School has opened its first boarding house for girls, meaning that, for the first time in its 900-year history, girls will be able to board at the Cathedral’s choir school.

Church Commissioners win planning permission for 350 Hereford homes

PLANNING permission from Herefordshire Council for 350 homes in Three Elms, Hereford — the first phase of a new 1000-home community — has been secured by the Church Commissioners. The Commissioners have secured approvals for nearly 5000 homes across England in 2025. “[This] announcement marks an important step in delivering a new community in Hereford,” the Commissioners’ strategic land asset manager, Victoria Barrett-Mudhoo, said. “The scheme will help meet a local need for housing of all tenures and types, including providing land to the council to deliver a new affordable care home. The Church Commissioners worked closely with Herefordshire Council and consultees to ensure the scheme is of the highest quality.”