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The Diocese of Oxford Reporter: Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
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Number 14 July 1990
Archbishop's pearl of wisdom
The Duchess, pictured with Dr Runcie. Photo: Courtesy Oxford & County Newspapers.
"Nobody could say it's a carbuncle. It's a pearl - something beautiful created out of irritation." That was how the Archbishop of Canterbury described the new £1 million extension to Ripon Theological College, Cuddesdon, at its opening on June 14. Dr Runcie, a former Principal of the college, said the "irritation" used to be among the wives and families of married ordinands, in the bad old days when young curates had to ask permission of their bishop to be married. But today they were a vital part of the life of a theological college. He recommended his audience to "put their money on this building", rather than with the bookies in the current Archbishop of Canterbury stakes, because
"at the end of the day the Church doesn't need Archbishops of Canterbury; it depends on the clergy - the parochial clergy - being very well trained". The opening ceremony was performed by, the Duchess of Kent. As she unveiled a foundation stone she was watched by past and present staff and students, and many of those who had contributed to the Appeal which now stands at £'/2 million. The money has come in from all over the country. Former students have badgered their colleagues at deanery chapters. In London, a fund-raising group has been in touch with a network of "spectacle makers" - guilds and trusts and big business; while the Oxford
Diocesan Committee, chaired by Hugo Brunner, has been responsible for raising a significant proportion of the total. The building, designed by the Architects Design Partnership, was made necessary because five cottages rented for married couples were coming to the end of their leases. The new accomodation is a flexible one with fiats that can "expand" and "contract" depending on the size of the occupying family. The official opening even made both television channels - a sign of the times in modern theological education. But for the College's Principal, Canon John Garton, the day marked only the half way point to the much needed £1 million, as he was at pains to point out to his visitors. "We built in faith" he said.
How green is our , glebe.f A quiet green revolution has begun on a Diocesan Glebe farm in Buckinghamshire. For the first time, an incoming tenant will have to accept a conservation management agreement that will include copse planting, pond maintenance and the establishment of wild life 'corridors'. The agreement, which has been drawn up by Dr Christopher Smith (photographed right), Senior Farm Conservation Adviser for the Bucks Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, is one of the first in the country and certainly the first in this Diocese. 'I have great faith in farmers. We can all see the worst examples, but this case is a good example of the way it's possible to accomodate both conservation and efficient farming" Dr Smith said.
The conservation agreement is based mainly on enhancing the existing natural features on the farm, and changing some of the old established practices, for example, the hedgerows will now be cut once every other year and in February, after the wildlife have taken the food available in the winter months and before the spring growth. Its most important feature is the establishment of the wild life corridors which will criss-cross the farm with three metre wide strips, separating cropping areas from the hedgerow. To encourage wild life they will be unsprayed and unfertilised, except with selective herbicide for specific plants. The Diocese accepts that the corridors will take about three acres out of production, and that this land will require special
ENJOYING LIFE AT ELLESBOROUGH
management. As an encouragement to the tenant they are offering an annual premium on the affected land. The 315-acre Boarstall farm near Aylesbury is being relet on the retirement of the present tenant. He has already carried out a policy of active conservation which will provide a sound basis for the new agreement, says Andrew Robson of Sidleys of Bicester, the Diocese's letter agents.
Bench mark According to Mr Robson great interest has already been expressed in the farm; and the new conservation agreement. "Farmers are not always given the credit in this matter that they should have. We very much hope that this agreement to be overseen by Dr Smith will form an important bench mark in conservation in farming. "We hope it will show that the landscape, the wildlife and the natural flora and fauna can be enhanced without detriment to agriculture. It is important, therefore, that the correct balance between conservation and agriculture is met and we believe that the agreement that has been drawn up achieve this balance," he said.
New opportunity
At the end of June the residents of ELLESBOROUGH MANOR, a residential home administered by THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PENSIONS BOARD, welcomed THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, who came to officially re-open the manor which has recently undergone extensive refurbishment and modernisation. Home to six married couples and eight single residents, the Manor is set in beautiful grounds, offering self-contained accommodation to those pensioners of the Church of England, including clergy widows, who seek the security and peace of mind offered by a residential home, at a time of life when it is most needed. Along with Ellesborough Manor, the Pensions Board runs nine residential and nursing homes, and a further purpose-built home is due to open in 1991. To cope with the ever-increasing number of pensioners who turn to the Board for help it must continue its work by planning and building new homes. The Board relies on support from donations, deeds of covenant and legacies and is very grateful for any help it receives. If you would like to know more about Ellesbo rough and the Board's work, please contact: The Secretary, Department E, The Church of En gland Pensions Board, 7 Little College Si, London SW/P 3SF.
Also delighted is Mr Georee Hammond, Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance. "I tried to put forward a '.ss clearly defined conservati ,n policy to our existing tenants eight years ago but there were no takers then. Now, we have the opportunity to introduce it with a new farm tenancy, although we are still hoping that some existing tenants will come forward to take it on as well" he said. The Buckinghamshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory
Dr Christopher Smith at Boarstall Group is based at Stoke Mandeville. Its committee has included the Revd Peter Bugg, Diocesan Rural Chaplain and an active conservationist. • Not far away from Boarstall alongside the Grand Union Canal and the Aylesbury ducks, the Church is co-operating in a second countryside management project. In partnership with the Countryside Aylesbury Management Project, the Oxford Diocese is helping to improve the landscape and wildlife value of Bierton with Broughton Glebe. The work has been jointly funded by the Diocese and the Management Project, and has also involved a team of volunteers. An unsightly building has been demolished, and a new gate erected, a wildlife hedge has been planted using a mix of native species of hedging plants and fencing to keep out cattle. The area is visible from two public rights of way whose footpaths and bridleways are being promoted as part of a circular walk.
Farm.
Photo: Frank Blackwell
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