Dean’s tribute to ‘cherished friend’
DAME Patricia Routledge, the actress best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC1 ’90s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, has died at the age of 96, her agent announced last Friday. The Dean of Chichester, the Very Revd Dr Edward Dowler, said in a statement last Friday that she “was not only one of Britain’s most beloved actresses, but also a cherished friend and supporter of our cathedral”. She was patron of the cathedral’s roof appeal, and her foundation sponsored a chorister for five years. “We give thanks to God for her, and reflect fondly on her deep love for Chichester, its people, and its cultural and spiritual life,” Dr Dowler said.
Sentencing of Chris Brain to be delayed till next year
THE sentencing of Chris Brain, the founder of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), is to be delayed until after his retrial next year, the BBC reported on Thursday of last week. In August, a jury at Inner London Crown Court returned verdicts on 32 of the 37 charges against Mr Brain, 68, of Wilmslow, Cheshire. They found him guilty on 17 charges of indecent assault, and not guilty on 15 further charges (News, 20 August). The jury could not reach a verdict on a further four charges; so a second trial is scheduled to begin in September 2026 (News, 5 September). Mr Brain will be remanded in custody until then.
Fires in Peacehaven and Kettering
A SUSPECTED arson attack on a mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex, on Saturday, left the front of the building damaged and destroyed a car parked outside. No one was injured. Sussex Police said on Monday that a man had been taken into custody. The leader of East Sussex Country Council, Keith Glazier, said that the attack was “horribly shocking” and called it a “hate crime”. Another man has been charged with attempted arson in relation to an incident in Kettering. Northamptonshire Police said that the man was suspected of an attempt to set fire to the door of a mosque on Sunday afternoon. The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Phil Rosenberg, condemned the incident in Peacehaven. “Every faith community has the right to worship free from fear. Our country is better than this,” he said. “Over recent weeks there has been a lot of focus on how we have become a divided Kingdom. But we are the United Kingdom. And we need to move forward against hate together.”
Scottish RME Bill criticised by youth officer
THE Provincial Youth Co-ordinator of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Claire Benton-Evans, appeared before the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on Tuesday of last week and criticised the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill. She said that “religious observance is a matter of belief, but RME [religious and moral education] is a matter of education,” and expressed her surprise at the Bill, which, she said, “lumps them together”. “The committee that I represent believes that RME stands firmly within the school curriculum, because our children need to understand other faiths, beliefs, and cultures if they’re to grow up in the kind of diverse, inclusive, and tolerant society that we want Scotland to be,” she said. The Bill is currently at Stage One.
New chief executive for Auckland Project
JANE RUFFER, a co-founder with Jonathan Ruffer of the Auckland Project, is to be its next chief executive, succeeding David Land, who has been interim chief executive since last October. Ms Ruffer, who has been a doctor, school governor, and trustee of several charities, said: “The Auckland Project needs to achieve commercial success to sustain its mission of regeneration. Fourteen years ago, a dream began; a vibrant Auckland Palace, filled with people to breathe life into the town — supporting jobs, local businesses, and community pride. Now, it’s time to continue that dream and turn it fully into reality — with exciting plans.”
