Charities installs piano for the public at York Station
THE public can now play a piano at York Railway Station, installed by the Richard Shephard Music Foundation (RSMF) in collaboration with the London North Eastern Railway and the piano reuse initiative Piano Equals. “It aims to bring music to a public space while also supporting young musicians across Yorkshire and the north-east,” the RSMF said in a statement on Tuesday. Dr Shephard was a musician and former Director of Development at York Minster (Gazette, 26 March 2021).
Votes open for England’s favourite stained-glass window
THE Association of English Cathedrals’ Divine Light social-media campaign has now ended after 45 days, during which 45 pieces were showcased (News, 28 November 2025). More than 110,000 people engaged with the project, and 12 finalists have been selected. Voting is now open for the winner, with the chance to win a copy of Divine Light: The stained glass of England’s cathedrals by Dr Janet Gough, an architectural historian, who was formerly secretary of the Cathedrals Fabric Commission. englishcathedrals.co.uk
Sex offender banned from teaching for life
PETER JENKINS, 56, who was sentenced to 13 years in prison, in August 2022, has been banned from teaching for life. The professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency met in December and published their outcome, barring him “from teaching indefinitely”; “he cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.” He has a right of appeal to the High Court within 28 days from the date of notice of the order. At the time of the abuse, he was married to Helen Greenham, a Team Vicar in the Solihull Team Ministry, who admitted not telling Birmingham diocese that her former husband had a previous history of child abuse. She was barred from ministry for life (News, 16 March 2023).
Christian Resources Exhibition changes its name
AFTER four decades as the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), the organisation has changed its name to Church Resources Exhibition. CRE said on Monday that this acknowledged “a natural progression in its mission to support and equip churches across an increasingly diverse and dynamic landscape”. This year’s exhibition will be held on 14 and 15 October, at Sandown Park, in Surrey.
Theological course relaunched as Spiritus
THE relaunch and renaming of the South West Ministry Training Course as Spiritus Theological College Course took place at Plymouth Marjon University last month. The Bishop of Exeter, Dr Mike Harrison, the Suffragan Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt Revd James Grier, the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Revd David Williams, and the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, attended the event, together with current and former staff and students.
RC Bishops in Wales issue statement before assisted-dying vote
THE Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, the Most Revd Mark O’Toole, and the Bishop of Wrexham, the Rt Revd Peter Brignall, have expressed their “deep concern” before the Senedd debate and vote on assisted-dying legislation. In a joint statement issued on Thursday of last week, the Bishops proposed to “strengthen palliative and end-of-life care so that every person can live their final days with dignity, comfort, and peace”. On 27 January, the Senedd will vote on whether Wales should give its consent to Westminster’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.
New editor for The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
THE chair of English Heritage’s Blue Plaques Panel and Professor of Social and Architectural History at the University of Oxford, Canon William Whyte, will succeed Professor Sir David Cannadine as General Editor of The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography on 31 July, it was announced on Tuesday. Sir David, who has been in post for 12 years, said that Professor Whyte was “a most distinguished historian, a fellow collegian, and a major figure in the broader life of Oxford University and the wider cultural world beyond. . . I can’t wait for him to get started.”
RCO sets up new choral-directing diplomas
THE Royal College of Organists (RCO) has launched a range of choral-directing diplomas to recognise and support choir directors. The new qualifications — the Colleague Diploma in Choral Directing (CChD), the Associateship Diploma in Choral Directing (AChD), and the Fellowship Diploma in Choral Directing (FChD) — replace the Diploma in Choral Directing (DipCHD).