Postcards: Hundreds compete in “sand church” competition on Welsh beach
ANGELA YOUNGMAN reports on the event held in St Davids…
Pope presents shards from cross of Christ for King Charles III’s coronation
London, UKReuters Pope Francis has gifted fragments believed to be from the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified to form part of a new processional cross which will be used at the coronation of Britain’s King Charles III next month. The new cross, made from recycled silver along with Welsh slate and reclaimed wood, […]
Thousands of UK ambulance staff strike as public urged to avoid risks
London, UKReuters Thousands of ambulance workers in England and Wales walked out over pay on Wednesday, increasing the strain on a state-funded health service a day after nurses went on strike, as government ministers advised the public to avoid taking risks. The government said the “deeply regrettable” strike would result in fewer ambulances on the […]
King Charles III stands vigil as Queen’s lying-in-state queue swells
London, UK Reuters King Charles III and his siblings stood vigil by the coffin of their late mother Queen Elizabeth II on Friday as tens of thousands of mourners queuing to pay their final respects during her lying in state were told they faced a wait of up to 24 hours. Charles, Princess Anne, Princes […]
Storm Eunice batters Europe, killing at least nine
London, UKReuters An Atlantic storm battered northwestern European on Friday with record winds of up to 122 miles per hour, killing at least nine people, knocking out power for tens of thousands and shredding the roof of London’s O2 arena. Storm Eunice, which brewed in the central Atlantic and was spun up from the Azores […]
Child sex abuse found across major UK religions – report
London, UKAP An inquiry investigating child sexual abuse in a wide range of religious organisations and settings in England on Thursday found “shocking failures” in how many religions handled abuse allegations, with victim-blaming and abuse of power by religious leaders often contributing to under-reporting. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse looked into child protection […]
North Wales’ slate landscapes named UNESCO World Heritage site
London, UKReuters The slate landscapes of north-west Wales have been added to the list of World Heritage Sites, UNESCO said on Wednesday, a boost for Britain after the city of Liverpool was stripped of its status. The government nominated the area to the UN cultural organisation in 2020 to recognise its role as a leader […]
Saving ‘friendless’ churches from demolition in England and Wales
Religion Unplugged The structure of St Baglan’s Church in North Wales is simple, with plastered stone walls and whitewashed timbers between the slate slabs of its roof and floor. The 13th century sanctuary was rebuilt in the 1800s, but the carved doorway lintel dates from the 5th or 6th century. An adjacent field contains the […]
StrangeSights: Cranky cat takes to the air; porcelain bowl a rare find; and, workers stumble on an ancient find…
DAVID ADAMS looks at the odder side of life…
Deaths of homeless hit new record in England and Wales
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation An estimated 778 homeless people died in England and Wales last year, according to official data released on Monday, the highest number since records began. The toll has risen for five consecutive years and is more than 60 per cent higher than in 2013 when the first comparable data was collated. […]