Parish ‘pianothon’ raises money for new facilities
A 12-HOUR “pianothon” at St Luke’s, Winton, in Winchester diocese, has raised more than £4000. About 200 people attended the event, which began at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The youngest pianist was aged two, and the oldest was over 80. The sponsored event was organised by the parish of Four Saints. The money raised will go towards new accessible toilets and “the ongoing transformation of the church into a community hub”, a statement from the parish said.
Cathedral Schools launch Three Choirs Schools Group
THREE of England’s oldest cathedral schools have come together to form the Three Choirs Schools Group. The new partnership — of Hereford Cathedral School, The King’s School, Gloucester, and The King’s School, Worcester — is “designed to strengthen educational excellence, broaden opportunity and enhance collaboration across the three counties”, a statement from the King’s School said. Combined, the three schools educate more than 2600 pupils and have a joint annual turnover of £50 million. The new group aims to introduce enhanced academic, pastoral, and co-curricular opportunities, with staff from the three schools participating in subject networks, shared training, and curriculum development. The three cathedral choirs participate in the world-famous Three Choirs festival, which is hosted by each cathedral in rotation.
Planning applications approved for Abbey of St Edmund
ALL planning applications for the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn project have been approved, St Edmundsbury Cathedral announced on Tuesday. The project aims to reunify the 60-acre Abbey of St Edmund site, by making it more inclusive and environmentally friendly, and to sustain its future. In total, nine approvals covering several aspects of the project have been secured, including planning permission, listed-building consent, scheduled-monument consent, and relevant ecclesiastical approvals, the statement says. In February, a £9.8-million delivery-phase application was submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A funding decision is due to be made later in the year.
Parishioners raise £7000 in sponsored walk
MORE than 20 parishioners from St Martin’s, Ruisplip, completed an 18-mile sponsored walk from St George’s Chapel, Windsor, to St Martin’s. The group, led by their assistant curate, the Revd Joe Grogan, raised about £7000 for repairs to the church roof. The walk began on Sunday with a blessing by Canon Martin Evans in Windsor. The walkers were welcomed home by the Vicar, the Revd Robert Chapman.
Charity launches plan for women’s empowerment
THE charity Mosaic Middle East launched a Women’s Empowerment Programme at the Palace of Westminster last week. The new programme includes a three-year commitment to supporting women in northern Iraq, particularly those from minority communities and female-headed households, the charity says. Business training, mentoring, and start-up grants will be provided. Speaking at the launch, Mosaic’s Executive Director, Helen Jackson, said: “Empowerment is not something we deliver. It is something that grows when women are given space, support, and opportunity; when they are listened to, valued, and encouraged.”
Great Big Green Week in appeal to faith communities
THE Climate Coalition has urged faith communities to take part in its “Great Big Green Week”, from 6 to 14 June. The theme this year is “Together for Good”. The Coalition suggests that churches and other faith groups host “events that bring neighbours together and put their love of creation into visible, practical action”. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, the C of E’s lead bishop for the environment, has endorsed the initiative. theclimatecoalition.org
Saints film to be shown at Eisteddford service
A BILINGUAL animated film, The Story of Cybi & Seiriol, is to be shown during the Urdd Eisteddfod’s Sunday service, on 24 May, at the Anglesey Showground in Wales. The film follows two sixth-century Welsh saints: Cybi and Seiriol. It was produced and co-written by the schools education officer for Bangor diocese, Nia Elain Roberts, and a filmmaker at Griffilms Animation Studio, Hywel Griffiths. The film won the Best Educational Film and Best Animated Film at the 2026 Christian Film Festival, and uses animation and aerial footage. Its screening is to be introduced by Erin Pererin, a fictional pilgrimage guide for children created by Ms Roberts, and played by a member of the Anglesey Sunday School Choir. Watch the film at: pererinysgolion.cymru