Return-to-work programmes needed, says North
THE Government’s overhaul of the advantages system needs to be balanced by investment in return-to-work programmes, the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Revd Philip North, has said. When the welfare cuts were announced last month, the Department for Work and Pensions released evaluation of the advantages reforms, which suggested that 3.2 million families would lose out by 2030 (News, 28 March). In an interview with BBC Radio Lancashire this week, Bishop North said that, while “advantages is a vital mechanism for keeping people out of poverty,” he recognised that “the advantages bill is big,” and ways were needed to “liberate” people from them. “Reforming welfare is a long-term project, and it may’t deliver quick wins. To cut the general bill, we also must concurrently put money into other areas, including health, social care, and back-to-work programmes.”
Life ministry ban for former Wakefield Precentor
A FORMER Canon Precentor of Wakefield Cathedral, Dr Jayson Rhodes, has been prohibited from ministry for all times for “conduct unbecoming and inappropriate to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders”. The ruling was imposed on 4 March. In July 2023, Dr Rhodes was faraway from office and prohibited from ministry for ten years, on the identical grounds. Both penalties were imposed under a provision within the Clergy Discipline Measure decreeing that, when the respondent consents to the penalty, no further details of the case are published.
Bishop of Brixworth to retire within the autumn
THE Rt Revd John Holbrook, the Suffragan Bishop of Brixworth, within the diocese of Peterborough, since 2011, is to retire on 30 September. He trained for ministry at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and was ordained priest in 1987. He served his title at St Mary’s, Barnes, in Southwark diocese, before moving to Oxford diocese, where he served in parishes and as a hospital chaplain. In 2002, he became Rector of Wimborne Minster, in Salisbury diocese, later serving as a rural dean and an Hon. Canon of the cathedral. The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Revd Debbie Sellin, said that he can be “hugely missed” and spoke of his pastoral approach.
King unveils plane to mark MAF’s 80 years
THE King unveiled a latest humanitarian aircraft at RAF Northolt, last week, to mark 80 years of the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) (Features, 4 April) and rejoice 50 years of an independent Papua New Guinea (PNG). He pressed a button to disclose the brand new Cessna 208 Caravan, the newest addition to the charity’s 118-strong fleet, modified to resist a few of the world’s most difficult flying conditions. The King met PNG nationals and the country’s High Commissioner to the UK, Betty Palaso, in addition to MAF’s country director for PNG, and trainee pilots from the UK. MAF UK’s chief executive, Donovan Palmer, spoke of the Fellowship’s long-term commitment to PNG. “By flying food to market, delivering constructing equipment, transporting teachers, and carrying out medical evacuations, previously isolated villages have been transformed, modernised, and connected to the surface world, some for the primary time.”
Portsmouth Cathedral to maintain children busy
YOUNG visitors to Portsmouth Cathedral have a latest resource: Portsmouth Cathedral Children’s Activity Book, created with Esther Johnson, of Designed by Esther, and includes illustrations and “hands-on” activities, including puzzles, games, wordsearches, and pages to color. The Dean, the Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane, said that the book “makes the history and fantastic thing about Portsmouth Cathedral accessible to children and families in an attractive and interactive way. We hope it would encourage curiosity and a way of adventure in all who use it.” It might be bought online and within the cathedral gift shop.
Author’s plan is to assist out charities
THE Christian fund-raiser and creator Primavera Moretti has founded an independent publishing company, Lumina Publications, to lift funds for charity. Each charity partner can be linked to a particular title, and can receive £1 per copy sold. Ms Moretti, who writes under the pen name Flora Dunn, said: “It’s been getting harder and harder to lift funds, particularly for small charities. I wanted to search out a approach to turn the tables . . . by creating an extra income source I could afford to offer away. I wanted my creative work to count for something greater than just entertainment and reflect my Christian faith and practice.” Sales of her book Summer at Tillingford Hall have supported the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, a drugs-education charity arrange by Fiona and Tim Spargo-Mabbs, whose younger son died from an overdose of MDMA in 2014 (Arts, 8 April 2016; Interview, 6 June 2016). Mrs Spargo-Mabbs, who was appointed OBE within the 2023 New Year Honours list, said: “This is a extremely creative approach to fund-raising in difficult times, and we’re very grateful to Primavera for selecting our charity to profit from the primary of her books.”
No-confidence vote at Canterbury Christ Church
THE Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) branch of the University and College Union (UCU) has passed a vote of no confidence within the university’s leadership, including the Vice-Chancellor and board of governors, over the prospect of staff cuts. CCCU was founded as a C of E teacher-training college in 1962, and have become a university in 2005. The Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, is a governor. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, said on Saturday that the higher-education sector was facing “unprecedented financial challenges”. Although the university was operating with a small surplus, it was taking “pre-emptive motion to make sure we remain each academically successful and financially sustainable into the long run”, he said. The UCU vote represented lower than 15 per cent of the staff, and lower than one per cent of scholars; however the university “takes seriously the views of our colleagues as we undergo this time of change”, he said.
