‘Antisocial behaviour’ closes Glastonbury churchyard
THE churchyard of St John the Baptist, Glastonbury, in the town centre, has been closed for 30 days owing to “the increase in antisocial behaviour”. A notice on the church states: “It is with regret that the Churchwardens and PCC have made the decision to close the churchyard and stop church activities, other than Sunday services and funerals, for 30 days from May 1st. This is due to the increase in antisocial behaviour and we hope that this period of resetting may give other agencies a time to reassess allocation of resources to make the area accessible to all. In light of our responsibilities for the safeguarding and safety of our church, congregation and visitors, we agreed that this was the best course of action.”
Man arrested after dead animals found
A 47-YEAR-OLD man from Totton, who was arrested last Friday on suspicion of two counts of criminal damage and ten counts of religiously aggravated criminal damage, has been released on conditional bail until 2 August, Hampshire Constabulary confirmed on Saturday. Since November, there have been 12 reports that carcasses of lambs and deer were left in locations around the New Forest, some of them near churches in Totton, Bramshaw, and Lyndhurst. The police believe the cases to be linked. The New Forest District Commander, Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, said: “These disturbing incidents have been upsetting for those who discovered them, and will be concerning for our wider community.”
Pilgrimage website offers inclusive experience
THE Methodist Church and the charity Hope Together have launched a website, Try Pilgrimage, providing free resources for churches and individuals wishing to host a pilgrimage, and would-be pilgrims. Sammy Jordan, of Hope Together, said: “Life is full of journeys where the destination is the point; so I’m excited that the invitation of Try Pilgrimage is to make the journey the point . . . to come to a greater understanding of ourselves, our connection with people, places, and with God.” It offers pilgrimages on foot, by bike, by bus, in a chair, or online: inclusion and accessibility are central to the project. trypilgrimage.org.uk
NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDONThe National Gallery in London, as part of its 200th-anniversary celebrations, has acquired a Netherlandish or French altarpiece, thought to be painted in or around 1510, and depicting the Virgin and Child with St Louis and St Margaret. The oil-on-wood panel by an unknown artist was bought last week for £16.42 million with the support of the American Friends of the National Gallery, through a private treaty sale brokered by Sotheby’s