Viewing all items in Resource Category: Editorial

The Church of England (National Society for Education) has published its latest annual inspection report for Church schools, revealing a transition away from single-word inspection grades to a new framework that emphasises a “more compassionate, contextual approach to accountability”. Under the new framework, over 99 per cent of inspections conducted by SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of...

 The Church of England has been awarded nearly £5 million to fund a “much needed” expansion in work to conserve cultural and historical heritage in parish churches in a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A further £85 million is expected to be awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s National Lottery Grants for...

It was 250 years ago, on 22 Nov 1774 that Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive (Clive of India), died. He was the British general who helped found the British Empire in India. 150 years ago, on 23rd Nov 1874 that Thomas Hardy’s novel Far from the Madding Crowd was published. It was his first major...

Hilda played a key role in the early English Christian church, and she may even have been the first to encourage the writing of Christian poetry. She was born a princess, into the Deiran (Northumbrian) dynasty, and her sister became Queen of the East Angles, with whom the Deiran had connections. In those days East...

Here are some tips from the police, to help families stay safe while they are having Bonfire Night fun… Only buy fireworks that are CE marked. Respect them – they travel at speeds of about 80 mph. Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks. Keep fireworks in a closed box. Follow the instructions on each...

Prior to the Reformation, English churches were highly decorated with interior wall paintings.  As one author wrote, ‘They were aglow with colour and images covering every flat surface’. Painting pictures seems to be a basic part of people.  We see that in newly discovered caves where people from the distant past have made sketches and...

If you are going to any concerts before Christmas, spare a thought for St Cecilia (2nd century) – the patron saint of musicians. Cecilia is one of the most famous of the Roman martyrs of the 2nd century.  As far as is known, she was born a noble lady of Rome who, despite her vow...

It is something we all dread on holiday – that someone will rush by us, grabbing our phone or bag on the way. But now it is time to beware of thieves at home, as robberies here have recently hit a 10-year high. More than 200 people a day are falling victim to phone or...

60 years ago, on 23rd November 1964, the Second Vatican Council decided to allow the use of vernacular languages (such as English) in Roman Catholic sacraments and rituals, including the Mass. It had insisted on using only Latin for several hundred years. Most people welcomed the change, and the use of Latin quickly dwindled. The...

This year Remembrance includes several significant dates from past wars. 2024 marks the 110th anniversary of the start of World War I. 2024 marks 80 years since D-Day. The Normandy Landings of 6th June were the largest seaborne invasion in history, and began the Allied invasion of Normandy, which led to the liberation of France and...

 Andrei Rublev’s popular icon of the Trinity depicts the three mysterious strangers who visited Abraham (Genesis 18:1-15). It speaks powerfully of the relationship between the three persons of Godhead. ‘God as Being exists in community. The natural and simple demonstration of God’s communal image for humanity is the gathering of the small group.’ (Gareth Icenogle)....

As Christmas approaches, the charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is warning that “Poverty has become more ruthless than ever. There are rarely simple solutions anymore. Families can’t afford to live, let alone repay debt, as incomes don’t cover the basics.” CAP tells the story of Bea, one of its clients. “Like nearly half of CAP’s...