Leap of faith: congregation raises cash for new church
It was a bit of a leap of faith: A small community of Staplehurst Free Church near Maidstone pulled down their old building - and then began the urgent task of raising money for a new one.
And they aimed high. The hundred strong congregation needed more than a million pounds for their new church.
Hard work, sponsored walks, church fetes, and bring-and-buys - and a grant, got them the money they needed.
Kevin Harrison has been speaking to Ryan Ahern, the Assistant Pastor and Architect Richard Hawks. Click on the link above to see his report.
It's chimed at every service for more than 400 years but now the church bell at Leaveland near Faversham has been stolen. Thieves heaved the 50 kg bronze antique over the edge of the church roof. David Johns spoke to Vicar Diane Webb; churchgoer Michael Peters and PC Preston Frost.
The organ at Holy Trinity Church in Gosport Credit: ITV Meridian
A church organ once played by the composer Handel will be played again at a special concert tonight after falling silent for a year. The instrument was installed at Holy Trinity Church in Gosport in 1747 and for the past year has undergone a major overhaul.
The pipes played by Handel Credit: ITV Meridian
The restoration work was paid for using £167,000 of lottery funding. Now completed, it will be played again this evening during a special concert.
Imagine being given £67,000 only be told to hand it back a few months later. That's exactly what happened to a church in Kent. The money was left in a will by an anonymous benefactor. But a mix-up led to the wrong church getting the cash as Tom Savvides reports.
Hampshire Police are appealing for witnesses after silverware was taken from an elderly lady's home in Bordon.
Thieves took a number of items from the property on Churt Road, Headley Down on July 12th.
The items included a solid silver inkwell and a silver teapot with a distinct inscription from the congregation of St Pauls.
“I would also like to speak to anyone who may have been offered the stolen items for sale. The items were of sentimental value to the owner and we are keen to hear from anyone who may be able to help us reunite the victim with her property.”
A special quarter peel of bells was rung at St Mary Magdalen Church in Cobham near Gravesend , one of the first celebrations of the jubilee weekend. It's something which has marked royal celebrations in the village since the sixteen hundreds.
“It is a daunting and exciting challenge to be asked to serve the people of Sussex as the next Bishop of Chichester. I look forward very much to learning more about the mission in which we shall be engaging together, though it will be a big wrench leaving the North East so soon.”
– Bishop Martin Warner, New Bishop of Chichester
These are challenging times for the Church and for its Bishops. The Dean and Chapter and all at the Cathedral look forward to welcoming Bishop Martin and assure him of our prayers and good wishes as he prepares for his new ministry in Chichester.”
– The Very Revd Nicholas Frayling, the Dean of Chichester
The Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner Credit: Chichester Diocese
Downing Street has confirmed that the Right Reverend Dr Martin Warner will be appointed as the new Bishop of Chichester. 53-year-old Dr Warner, 53, succeeds The Right Reverend John Hind who retired last month.
