Latest news with #ChurchesConservationTrust
BBC News
14 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
The York church celebrated as 'birthplace of lesbian marriage'
Tucked away in a secluded street near York Minster, a stone's throw from one of the city's busiest shopping streets, is a church that played a fascinating role in lesbian Trinity on Goodramgate, which dates back to the 12th Century, is where diarist and businesswoman Anne Lister "married" her partner, heiress Ann Walker, on Easter Sunday in same-sex marriage was not legal at the time, they took the sacrament together at Holy Communion and considered themselves Cowling, Churches Conservation Trust volunteer and Blue Badge tour guide, said that as a result, Holy Trinity really became the "birthplace of lesbian marriage".Although Lister's family owned the Shibden Hall estate near Halifax, she had a strong association with York, where she attended school and met many of her a two-year courtship with Walker, daughter of a Halifax landowner, Lister chose to take the sacrament to "have something as close to a marriage as they could possibly get", Ms Cowling said."In the February, they had pledged themselves to each other, and later on they had exchanged rings and made provisions to each other in their wills," she Whitbread, a historian and the editor and decoder of Lister's secret diaries, said she had three criteria for becoming "married": exchanging rings; declaring their love; and taking a vow before the altar. Lister wrote in her diary on 27 March 1834 that she and Walker were "positively engaged", Ms Whitbread said. Then, on 30 March, the couple attended the Easter Sunday service at Holy Trinity in York - both wearing their wedding Trinity was chosen partly because the Holy Communion did not feature in many Anglican services. The tradition of sharing bread and wine was always part of a marriage ceremony."That was their opportunity between now and Christmas time to take Communion together," Ms Cowling church was a convenient option as they both had appointments in nearby Minster Yard, and Walker was staying in the village of the sacrament was "momentous", Ms Cowling said."Lister's diaries are the first written record, and so the first clear intent we've got, of any two women deciding they want to live in a marital-style relationship. "Undoubtedly, women did before Anne, but we have no proof."However, Lister's intentions were not completely romantic: she wished to access Walker's considerable family Ms Whitbread said it was also a way for Lister to affirm her gender identity."Anne needed to acquire the role of 'husband' in a relationship with a woman in order to boost her sense of her masculinity," she said."Psychologically, marriage is a necessity to Anne as a confirmation to herself that she has a right to marry - that is, to become a husband - a role which would bolster the masculine traits in her character." However, Ms Whitbread added that there was evidence Walker did not attach as much value to the ceremony as Lister did."Even though they both had their rings on, she didn't seem to give as much importance to it," she said."It seemed a bit one-sided to me. In Anne's eyes, the ceremony should have sealed the matrimonial pact into which they had entered."Anne should have explained to Walker a bit more before going to the church, so Walker was more aware of the significance, but she didn't. "She knelt at the altar with her thoughts and prayers, then walked out."Walker later moved in with Lister and her family at Shibden Hall. Lister died in 1840 while travelling in Georgia with Walker, who died in 1854 having returned to live on her family's Crow Nest estate in Halifax. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gloucestershire in Pictures: Cheese roll and rugby
What a week in Gloucestershire - once again, our county traditions have stunned people across the world, as millions watched footage of the cheese rolling down Cooper's Hill. There was to be no fairytale top-four ending for Gloucester Rugby, but they gave thousands of fans at Kingsholm a win to take them into the summer. Wychwood Festival arrived at Cheltenham Racecourse, and there have been the usual stunning scenes across the county. Not to be: Gloucester fans filled the streets around Kingsholm in the build-up to the final match of the season on Saturday. The cherry and whites ended with a win against Northampton but finished just outside the play-off places. Cheesy does it: One last look back at the 2025 Gloucestershire cheese rolling from Bank Holiday Monday, an event that once again drew competitors from all over the world and was watched by thousands at the scene and millions online. Sunny start: The weather really came through on Friday evening for the first day of Wychwood Festival 2025, where artists like Daniel Bedingfield, Scouting for Girls and Shed Seven are performing. The festival transforms Cheltenham Racecourse each year into a family festival - and this year it's looking bigger and better than ever. Heritage: Nestled among the houses of the Cotswold village of Ozleworth is the historic St Nicholas Church. No longer a regularly used place of worship, it is maintained by volunteers from the Churches Conservation Trust. Cheers! The Brockweir Inn Community Benefit Society has successfully purchased the remarkable 16th Century village tavern on the banks of the River Wye. This community collective is now launching a second share offer to raise the funds needed to refurbish and reopen their historic village pub. The share offer opens on 1 June and will run for six weeks until 15 July. Stunning settings: A mixed week of weather in the county but enough sunshine for this beautiful photo captured in Hardwicke by our weather watcher, Tone Poet. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Gloucestershire in pics: Pies and record breakers Gloucestershire in pics: Water, water everywhere Gloucestershire in pics: Jazz fever in Cheltenham Gloucestershire in Pictures: Keeping it cool Gloucestershire in Pictures: A tryfest at Kingsholm Gloucestershire in pics: Narrowboats and bluebells Gloucestershire in Pictures: Pelicans and dancing Gloucestershire in pics: Blossom and community Gloucestershire in pics: Derby delight and sunsets Gloucestershire in pics: EMF, penguins and rugby Gloucestershire in pics: Loud outfits and stunning sunsets Gloucestershire in pics: Pancakes and rugby wins Gloucestershire in Pictures: Spring sunshine and stadium renaming Gloucestershire in pictures: Wildlife and history Gloucestershire in pictures: Celebs and canines Gloucestershire in pictures: Candlemas and frosts Gloucestershire in pics: Wolf moon and pine martens Gloucestershire in pics: Snow and sunrises Gloucestershire in pictures: Pink skies and frosty mornings Gloucestershire in pics: Festive spirit spreading Gloucestershire in pics: Decorations fit for a King Gloucestershire in pictures: Snow and winter walks Gloucestershire in pics: Winter walks and sunrises Gloucestershire in pictures: Sunsets and fireworks Gloucestershire in pics: Pink skies and autumn trees Gloucestershire in pictures: Floods and rugby Gloucestershire in pictures: Super moons and epic challenges Gloucestershire in pictures: Medals and rainbow clouds Gloucestershire in pictures: Stars and soap boxes Gloucestershire in pictures: Rowing records and fantasy characters Gloucestershire in pictures: Farm fun and public art
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Confessional Festival to be held in Holy Trinity Church - how to get tickets
Blackburn's Confessional Festival is returning to its spiritual home for 2025 The music festival, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary, will be held over two days at Holy Trinity Church in September. In recent years, the festival has been held at the Exchange in Blackburn which is now undergoing a multi-million pound facelift. Confessional offers an experience unlike any other with curated art installations, a buzzing bar and a true sense of community. Confessional at Holy Trinity ChurchPromoter Pete Eastwood who has been the driving force behind the festival for a decade, said: "I am delighted to be in a position to stage a 10th anniversary Confessional in our hometown, and original church. Thanks to the wonderful Arts Council England. "We would love for people to come together and help us celebrate, and join us on the dancefloor, for a wow factor weekend of live music, fabulous art, and supporting local creatives." Event manager Conor Synnott said: "Every year we push a little further, but this year's shaping up to be something really special. If you've never been before, this is the year to do it.' Rebecca Faulkner who handles artist liaison for Confessional added: "Ten years of laughter, music, madness, and magic. Confessional 2025 is our thank-you to Blackburn for believing in it." In returning to Holy Trinity, a redundant former parish church now under the control of the Churches Conservation Trust, the festival will be set amid stained glass windows glowing with light offering cathedral acoustics and leaving festivalgoers with a feeling that's as spiritual as it is electric. The line-up is currently under wraps but Confessional has a reputation for bringing rising stars and future headliners to Blackburn. Previous artists to have appeared at the festival have included Working Men's Club, Red Rum Club, Rianne Downey, Brooke Combe and Calva Louise. Confessional will be held on Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13. Tickets are available from 9am today (Friday, May 30) from and
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disabilities charity closes due to rising costs
A community project serving adults with learning difficulties has closed after 30 years, citing rising costs. The Bridge Project Sudbury has been placed into liquidation. The charity was founded in 1995 by Sudbury resident Anesta Newson who was made an MBE in 2012. It said it was "incredibly proud" of its achievements, adding many of its services would be picked up by other local providers. In a statement the trustees of the project said: "Like many charities across the UK, we have faced increasing financial challenges in recent years. "Rising costs - including higher wages, National Insurance contributions, and the overall impact of inflation - have made it impossible to continue operating. "Despite exploring every possible option, we have reached a point where we can no longer sustain our services." The closure would see Sudbury Arts Centre, based at St Peter's, continue as a community interest company, supported by the Churches Conservation Trust. Create – Paint Your Own Pottery in Borehamgate would close "with a similar offering soon to open to the public run by a respected local provider who shares our values and community ethos," the charity said. Fresh lunch deliveries would be provided by Aspect Living. It added: "Our focus in recent months has been on protecting the people we support and ensuring services continue where possible. "We're grateful to the organisations who stepped in to take these forward, and to every member of staff who went above and beyond." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. MPs warned of threat to charities after Budget Wellbeing charity at risk amid funding 'crisis' The Bridge Project
