Second album released by Dr Rumsey
THE Bishop of Ramsbury, Dr Andrew Rumsey, has released a second album, Collodion. The nine tracks were recorded on a single day, in St Matthew’s, Rushall, a church in Wiltshire rebuilt in the 14th century, and feature guitar, organ, and double bass. They include “The memorial service orders of friends” (“seated in the congregation we can feel the implication . . .”) and a spoken-word track, “Mattins”. His first album, Evensong, was praised by critics, including the BBC radio broadcaster Mark Radcliffe (News, Podcast, 20 October 2023).
Government seeks views on the Listed Places scheme
A CONSULTATION on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has been launched by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Aimed at “people responsible for looking after any place of worship that occupies a listed building”, including those who have benefited from the scheme, it will form part of an evaluation of the scheme, which enables such places to reclaim VAT paid on certain repairs. In January, the Government announced that it was extending the scheme for one year, but capping for amount that could be claimed by applicants (News, 24 January). The deadline for completion is 25 March. harlowconsulting.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/listedplacesofworshipgrantscheme
Prayer Book Society appoints interim CEO
THE Prayer Book Society has appointed an interim chief executive, David Harvey, a chartered accountant who specialises in holding interim positions in the charitable sector. He served for 15 years as chief executive of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He will work with trustees and staff to begin implementing the 2025-29 strategic plan, preparing a set of recommendations that could include the appointment of a permanent chief executive. The annual report records a growth in the Society’s membership and activities, but says that there is “a great deal of work to be done in the future if the Prayer Book is to be rescued from the margins and restored to its proper place at the heart of the Church of England”. The Society currently has four members of staff working in administration.
Further outcry over humanities cuts in Wales
PROPOSED cuts to teaching and research in theology and humanities at the universities of Wales should be reconsidered, the trustees of Churches Together in Wales said this week. In January, Cardiff University announced plans to cut 400 jobs and close subjects, including Ancient History and Religion and Theology (Letters, 28 February). In February, it was announced that the Humanities department at the Lampeter Campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), formerly St David’s University College, would close in September (News, 7 February). In a letter addressed to individuals, including university vice-chancellors and members of the Senedd, Churches Together in Wales refers to a warning from Professor D. Densil Morgan, Emeritus Fellow of Theology at the University of Wales, that “there won’t be a single theological department in a university in Wales at all,” and raises specific concerns about the loss of humanities teaching in Welsh.
Evictions of refugees a factor in rough-sleeping rise
A RISE of 20 per cent in the number of rough-sleepers in England, from 3898 to 4667 over the year to November 2024, is a crisis that the Government’s new strategy must address, Housing Justice said last week. Figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that numbers rose every year from 2010 (when counting began) to a peak, in 2017, of 4751. They fell steadily until 2022, when the Government’s “Everyone In” campaign during the pandemic led to a temporary sharp fall. Factors in the latest rise included the last government’s efforts to reduce the asylum backlog, “which saw newly granted refugees being evicted from Home Office accommodation with nowhere to go and very little notice”, Housing Justice said. Community-based homelessness work should be recognised in the Government’s strategy and Comprehensive Spending Review, the charity said.
Eighth Commandment ignored by thieves
THE theft of a Ten Commandments board, painted in a quasi-medieval illuminated style, from St Andrew’s, Little Steeping, in the diocese of Lincoln, was “ironic”, the churchwarden, Basil Harwood, told the BBC last week. The pictures were stolen some time before 23 February, Lincolnshire Police said. The value of the artworks was unknown, but they “have sentimental value to the church and its members”. Mr Harwood said that the church would be more “vigilant and more aware”, but would still keep the doors open to members of the public.
