Museums reprieved – but councils bear the brunt of austerity
THE THREAT of closure was finally lifted from Yorkshire’s most prestigious museums, after the head of the national Science Museum Group confirmed that none would have to close.
Ian Blatchford told MPs that the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum in Bradford would definitely stay open, after Chancellor George Osborne announced a five per cent cut for museums in his spending review – half the level that had been feared.
York Council leader James Alexander said he was “delighted” the Government had listened to the concerns of residents across the north of England.
Bradford Council leader David Green described the confirmation as “brilliant news” for the city.
Meanwhile, a wave of savage cuts was set to be imposed on one of the region’s largest councils, after warnings that its spending would have to be slashed by a third once the Government’s austerity measures got into full swing.
The true scale of the financial crisis facing North Yorkshire County Council emerged after senior finance officers admitted the situation was even worse than predicted six months previously.
Cuts totalling £160m would have to be made by 2018/19 in North Yorkshire, and areas to be discussed for budget reduction included withdrawal of social care support for more than 1,000 people plus the slashing of bus subsidies by 25 per cent.
After a vote by MPs in the Welsh Assembly, Wales was to become the first country in the UK where people would be presumed to have consented to their organs being donated after death unless they opt out.
The existing UK system relied on people signing up to a voluntary scheme and carrying a donor card.
In foreign news, President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi was overthrown by a military coup after four days of protests all over the country calling for his resignation.
President of the Supreme Constitutional Court of Egypt
Adly Mansour was declared acting president.
Genesis and the Gospels weren’t the usual topics of conversation over a pint of foaming ale in a Yorkshire working men’s club, but that was about to change when a club in the tiny South Yorkshire village of Jump appointed its first chaplain.
The Rev Martijin Mugge, curate of the nearby St Mary’s church in Wombwell near Barnsley was thought to be the first ever chaplain to a working men’s club.
According the Diocese of Sheffield, the curate and the club intended to “work more closely together on the social and spiritual revival of Jump”.
Andy Hodgkinson, manager of the club, said: “Since his arrival Martijin and I have developed a good friendship and he has been a great spiritual support to me.
“I am delighted we might well be the first workingmen’s club in the country with its own chaplain, and I’m certain it will be of great benefit to our members and wider community.”
The Rev Mugge, born in the Netherlands, moved to the UK in 1995 and later became a Christian while living in Sheffield.
More recently he had been ordained a deacon in the Church of England.
The 43-year-old father-of-four said: “I’ve not had any negative reactions.
“People are very polite – although I think some might wonder what a man of the cloth is doing in their club.”
The chaplaincy idea grew out of the friendship with Mr Hodgkinson, as well as a series of group talks about faith issues held in the club.
George Osborne announced a five per cent cut for museums - half the level that had been feared.