Blogs

At the recent Exeter Diocesan clergy conference our three Bishops participated in a panel answering questions from the floor on a variety of contemporary topics. One of those raised was, ‘what are the greatest social challenges facing the people of Devon who we seek to serve at this time ?’ The Bishops responded with helpful comments such as our ageing population, new housing developments, pressures on land-use and the future of farming, as well as health concerns including dementia, loneliness and mental well-being. Their replies prompted me to think about my own response and, whilst not...

Starting a business while you juggle the demands of your toddler may not seem like good timing, but consider this ...

You have a toddler running around, let's say their age is somewhere around the 2.5 year mark. Its probably time to potty train, you can't avoid it for much longer. And if you are crazy like me you will also have a 1 year old crawling around adding to the chaos.

Given that childcare costs for 2 kids easily adds up to £100 per day, you and your partner will most likely have made the decision that there is no point in one of you working. The thought process...

So, have the results of the General Election been good for the environment?! On the face of it, the Green Party did not gain ground, issues of ecological sustainability did not seem high on candidates’ agendas and Britain now has an Environment Secretary who is not exactly known for his green credentials. Is the outlook therefore bleaker than it was? Firstly, let’s identify six of the key challenges we face: a) Implementation of the Paris agreement on climate change b) Revising UK environmental policies after Brexit c) Addressing major air quality concerns d) Reviewing Britain’s energy...

Five years ago the Diocese of Exeter submitted plans to construct six small-scale wind turbines on its land in three different parishes in north Devon.

These were part of an overall strategy for the Church of England in Devon to reduce its Greenhouse Gas carbon emissions. In the event the planning applications were withdrawn amidst an ambience of acrimony and unpleasantness.

In retrospect, it was agreed the process could have been better handled and there were lessons to be learned. However, the continuing legacy of the whole process was to release dubious forces of...