St Paul’s to launch heritage-craft training centre
ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL has launched an apprenticeship programme for heritage and endangered craft skills, beginning with those in carpentry and stonemasonry. They will be delivered through the cathedral’s new Wren Centre of Excellence, which was launched on Wednesday, marking the 350th anniversary of the cathedral’s foundation. The director of property, Rebecca Thompson, said: “Craft skills have always been at the heart of St Paul’s. But these historic skills are at risk, with fewer professionals gaining the expertise needed to maintain them. That’s why we’re launching our new Wren Centre of Excellence, so that we can pass the torch to a new generation of skilled craftspeople.”
Bishop finds key witness in murder case
THE Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell, has found a witness to the murder of Robert Darby in 2005, who, the man serving a prison sentence for the killing believes could overturn his conviction, the Independent reports. Dr Grenfell has expressed “serious concern” that the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has not yet spoken to the witness, 18 months since the request was submitted by Jason Moore. In 2023, Abdul Ahmed, the only witness, reportedly revealed to an investigative journalist that he had been drunk that night, and was not sure if he had identified the right man. Mr Moore, 53, was imprisoned in 2013 for the murder. Dr Grenfell is campaigning for a review of the case. Frustrated by the CCRC, which has just been put under “urgent review” by the justice secretary, she had knocked on Mr Ahmed’s door. “It wasn’t that difficult,” she told the Independent. “I went in the morning and he was there. It’s quite incredible that no one has been persistent in doing that. He clearly lives there and has lived there for quite a while.” The CCRC’s efforts to contact Mr Ahmed were “not good enough”, she said.
Hospital chaplain took her own life, coroner reports
A CORONER has concluded that the Revd Captain Katherine Watson, a former army officer and hospital chaplain, took her own life. Her body was found in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle, last September, a few days after she was reported missing (News, 27 September 2024). The inquest heard that the mother of two, who was 50, had suffered long-standing mental-health issues which required both community and in-patient treatment. The inquest heard that she developed PTSD, having had a turbulent upbringing before joining the military, where she witnessed genocide. Captain Watson was ordained deacon in 2020. In 2022, she featured in a Channel 4 documentary, Geordie Hospital, about the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she had worked for 14 years.
Police appeal after brass and silver stolen from Swindon church
STAFFORDSHIRE POLICE are appealing for information after St John the Evangelist, Swindon, was targeted by burglars between 18 May and 1 June. Police were called at 11 a.m. on Saturday 7 June after reports of theft were made. Two brass altar candles with wooden attachments, a brass table lectern, two silver altar candles, and a silver cross about 30cm in height were stolen. A crowbar had been used to open the door, Police report. “The altar was left dishevelled and burglars had also attempted to access a safe. Officers have informed Historic England, as the incident is considered a heritage crime. The diocese of Lichfield has also been informed.” Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident number 283 of 7 June; anonymous callers can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
RC Liverpool Cathedral granted Grade I listed status
THE Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King, in Liverpool, has been upgraded to Grade I listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on the advice of Historic England. The Roman Catholic cathedral, previously Grade II* listed, built between 1962 and 1967 and designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd, is now nationally recognised as a building of the highest architectural and historical interest. “The cathedral represents the greatest Roman Catholic post-war architectural commission in Britain,” Historic England says. “It was built over an earlier Sir Edwin Lutyens-designed crypt, intended to be part of a grand classical-style Catholic cathedral in Liverpool that began in the 1930s, but construction was halted, largely due to financial constraints and the outbreak of the Second World War.” The upgraded status reflected a deeper understanding Sir Frederick’s architectural vision, featuring a “centralised plan with a unified worship space” which was “unprecedented in British cathedral design, allowing congregations to participate more fully in the visual drama of the Mass”, the charity said.
