Safeguarding review for St Ebbe’s, Oxford
THE PCC of St Ebbe’s, Oxford, has commissioned Christian Safeguarding Services to review its past and present safeguarding culture and practice. In February, allegations of sexual abuse and coercive behaviour were made against the late David Fletcher, a former Rector of St Ebbe’s, Oxford, who died three years ago (News, 11 February 2022). A statement on the church website, published last week, said that the review “will examine past and present safeguarding culture and practice, including allegations against David Fletcher made more recently within the church community” and consider any new information that came to light. A scope had been published. The statement confirms: “It is not a review of David Fletcher’s activity in other spheres [outside of St Ebbe’s], neither is it restricted to concerns about him.” The appeal for information will run until Sunday 6 July. The PCC will publish the report and recommendations in full when they become available.
NCIs to appoint chair for new safeguarding board
THE national church institutions (NCIs) of the Church of England are recruiting an executive chair of the new Safeguarding Structures Programme Board. The new Board is to oversee work to create an independent body to scrutinise the Church’s safeguarding work, as agreed by the General Synod in February (News, 28 February). The advertisement states: “The day-to-day operation of delivering the work that General Synod has commissioned is the responsibility of the Safeguarding Structures Team. This team will support the Programme Board and Project Boards. The Executive Chair of the Programme Board will provide hands-on strategic leadership to ensure the successful delivery of the Safeguarding Structures programme.”
National Churches Trust launches building survey
THE National Churches Trust has launched a new survey of UK church buildings to understand their condition, common issues and threats to their survival, and community activities being hosted by them. The findings are to be analysed by nation, location, and denomination to allow “Policymakers, dioceses and funders to be able to better target their support to help see churches stay open and in use”, a press release says. The chair of the National Churches Trust, Sir Philip Rutnam, said that the findings would “give everyone access to the most up-to-date information about the state of these buildings and how they contribute to public life through the community activities and events they host and run”. Churches, chapels, meeting houses, and cathedrals from any Christian denomination in the UK are urged to take part at nationalchurchestrust.org/survey. The survey is also available in Welsh at nationalchurchestrust.org/arolwg. Runs until 30 June.
Archdeacon to be theology adviser at Bishopthorpe
THE Archbishop of York has appointed the Ven. Jonathan Gough, formerly Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven, in Leeds diocese, as Interim Pastoral and Theological Adviser at Bishopthorpe Palace for a one-year term that began on Tuesday. He will support the Archbishop’s ministry across the Northern Province part-time, offering pastoral, theological, liturgical, and spiritual guidance, the announcement said. He will also serve as a first point of contact for ecumenical and interfaith matters. Archdeacon Gough trained for the priesthood at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, and served his title in Exeter diocese. He served for more than two decades as a chaplain in the British Army, including operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He also worked at Lambeth Palace as Ecumenical Secretary. He retired after the appointment of his wife, the Rt Revd Flora Winfield, as Bishop of Selby (News, 31 July).
Concern over piano bar for St Michael-at-Plea, Norwich
PLANS to convert the deconsecrated church of St Michael-at-Plea, Norwich, into a piano bar have been met with expressions of concern from people who live near by, the BBC reports. Norwich Historic Churches Trust is the primary leaseholder for the site. A spokesperson said that the space would “give performance opportunities to many students and professional musicians”. In his application to Norwich City Council, John Taylor, who has applied for an alcohol licence, said that customers would be asked to leave quietly, and that there would be CCTV, and door staff at the weekend. Objectors said that “littering, urination, and vomit are all inevitable side effects” of the opening of a bar, and the potential noise would “profoundly disrupt our home life”. Until last September, the church housed a religious bookshop and café.
Glastonbury churchyard reopens
THE churchyard of St John the Baptist, Glastonbury, in the town centre, has been reopened, having been closed for 30 days because of “the increase in antisocial behaviour” (News, 9 May). A churchwarden, David Smith, told the BBC this week that the decision to close the churchyard had been necessary. “The raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug-dealing — that obviously is unacceptable.” The PCC is working with Glastonbury Town Council, local businesses, and the Police. Mr Smith said: “I believe the closure was the reset we needed, and we’ve had good feedback from the public as we reopened.”
