News

Church of England defends role in House of Lords in face of viral online petition

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2023

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND has defended the work of bishops in the House of Lords following the launch of a petition to remove them from parliament.

They say bishops make “a unique and non-party political contribution in Parliament” and speak “openly, and often forcefully, for those in the margins”.

On Friday, broadcaster and writer Sandi Toksvig, launched a petition to remove the 26 bishops who sit in Parliament as the Lords

Spiritual, arguing the Church’s exemption from equality laws is “discriminatory” for women and the LGBT+ community.

Both the archbishops of Canterbury and York together with other 21 bishops, form the Lords Spiritual.

A Church of England spokesperson told Premier: “The Bishops in the House of Lords make a unique and non-party political contribution in Parliament, rooted in the Church’s role as a Christian presence in every community in England.

“They don’t take a party line, or vote as a bloc; they are not appointed because of political connections and they are the only group in the Lords whose numbers are limited, who have a fixed retirement age and who, because of their own dioceses, effectively represent a specific area of the country.

“This enables them to fulfil a very special role in Parliament – providing a day-to-day ethical and faith perspective on legislation and other business, drawing from their faith and what they see and hear first-hand in parishes and other networks across the country and overseas.

“That enables them to speak openly, and often forcefully, for those on the margins – whether on the impact of the universal credit two-child limit, the treatment of refugees and prisoners, human rights at home and abroad, gambling reform and getting justice for the victims of the cladding scandal, for example.

“Questions about their future role are, and always will be, a matter for Parliament.”

The petition, which has been signed by over 75,000 people – making it one of the top signed petitions on Change.org – reads as follows:

“26 bishops from the Church of England, selected by the church, sit as a matter of right in the House of Lords. No other faiths have this privilege, and nor do the other UK regions.

“These bishops can vote on every law that is passed – even laws that the church doesn’t have to abide by because it has legal exemptions from Equality legislation. The only other country in the world where representatives of the state religion automatically get a seat in the legislature is Iran.

“Whatever goes on inside religious organisations, the Church should not be allowed to hold sway in the Houses of Parliament. It doesn’t matter what your faith is or even isn’t, it’s discriminatory and it has to stop.

“This petition calls for the removal the Church Of England’s privilege to appoint bishops into the House of Lords, and remove existing bishops currently sitting in the House of Lords.”

In a TikTok video, which is currently going viral, Sandi Toksvig explains that there are only two countries on Earth where representatives of the state religion automatically get a seat in the legislature – Iran and the United Kingdom.

To view the petition visit: change.com/bishopsout

Health

Schoolboy Rowan raises £900 for oncology unit

Published

4 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ROWAN NICKERSON, 12, from Pembrokeshire, ran in the Long Course Weekend Wales 5k and raised £900 for the Pembrokeshire Haematology Oncology Day Unit.

Rowan took part in the 5k road race on 23^rd June 2024 in memory of his Aunty Sharon who had received such excellent care and treatment at the unit.

Rowan said: “I enjoyed my first ever 5k road race. Thanks to everyone who supported me and who has kindly donated.”

Liliana Guta, Senior Sister, said: “A big well done to Rowan for taking part in the Long Course Weekend Wales 5k and raising money in memory of his Aunty.

“All the staff on the chemo unit want to thank to Rowan for his amazing achievement, for his kindness and commitment. It was such an admirable thing to do, and many patients will benefit from the money that he raised. Rowan should be very proud of himself; he is an inspiration to others.”

Rowan’s fundraising will go toward the new Heads Up! Cancer Hair Loss Support Service at Withybush Hospital. The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from our local community to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

The health board is the first in Wales to run this charity-funded initiative to improve the patient experience of cancer-related hair loss.

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We would like to say a huge well done to Rowan for taking part in his first 5k and raising such a fantastic amount.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the NHS charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

Pictured above (L-R): Annie Ritchie, Wendy, Jo, Liliana Guta, Rowan Nickerson, Louise MacDonald and Amy Rees-Thomas

Entertainment

Llys y Frân gearing up for another popular Play Day

Published

4 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PLAY DAY 2024 with Pembrokeshire County Council is welcoming all ages to a family fun day out at Llys y Frân on Wednesday, 7^th August.

All families and ages are welcome to attend for a fun filled cost friendly day from 10am to 3pm.

There will be a variety of free activities provided throughout the day including bouncy castles, messy play, storytelling, bug hunting, glitter tattoos, soft plays and face painting.

All wheels are welcome – please feel free to bring your bikes, scooters and even roller blades.

Parking is £3 for the day but entry and activities are free of charge.

There is a café on site that will be open as normal for food and drinks. As well as this, there are places to eat should families wish to bring a picnic!

Llys Y Frân also have disabled access throughout their site, making is accessible for all.

News

Positive progress on South Quay regeneration requires car park closure

Published

4 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WORKS are due to start on the final phase of the South Quay Development in Pembroke.

This project includes a visitor attraction, new library and café, restored and enhanced historic gardens within the burgage plots and the Pembroke Hwb, offering support services and community facilities to Pembroke and the south of the county.

Due to the extensive works there will be a requirement to close South Quay Car Park from Monday, 12th August to allow for construction works to begin on the South Quay regeneration projects.

Access will be maintained to the slipway with the road being diverted to follow the railings to the river side of the Car Park.

To facilitate these works the Public Toilets located at South Quay will be also be closed from Monday, 12th August, with alternative facilities available at The Commons and Main Street.

Enhanced public toilet facilities with be provided for within the new development

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services said: “We appreciate that closing the facilities on South Quay will cause some inconveniences, especially during our busy summer season.

“The project is progressing well and will create enhanced visitor and community facilities for this area, offering services, attractions and jobs to Pembroke town.”