Latest news with #EcclesiasticalInsurance

South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Heritage sites urged to boost security after Welsh incidents
The warning comes ahead of a busy summer for UK tourism and follows incidents of crime at Welsh landmarks, including vandalism at Bronllys Castle in Powys. Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical found that 92 per cent of heritage organisations in a recent survey had experienced crime between 2023 and 2024. Laura Carter, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: "As the UK's leading insurer of Grade I listed buildings, we're passionate about protecting Britain's heritage. "In recent years we've seen thefts from heritage properties increase – causing damage to items and places of real historical significance." She said heritage organisations should use a mix of physical and electronic security to protect their sites. Deputy chief constable Rachel Nolan, national policing lead for heritage and cultural property crime, said: "Stealing from or damaging any historic buildings or cultural sites is abhorrent. "They are attacks on both our national and local heritage."

South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Preparations underway for Rogerstone community festival
The event, which is organised by the Rogerstone Community Council, will see insurance and risk management matters addressed in partnership with Ecclesiastical Insurance. The festival is set to be held at the Welfare Grounds on August 31 with further details still to be confirmed. The council said it is keen to ensure the festival is a safe and enjoyable event for all attendees. It is one of several initiatives that the community council is focusing on for 2025. The council has also announced the appointment of a new chairperson and deputy chairperson for the year. Councillor C. Larcombe will serve as the new chairperson for 2025/2026, and Councillor S. Bowen will take on the role of deputy chairperson. The council has confirmed a range of key appointments, including members to the interim planning committee and representatives to public bodies such as the Rogerstone and Bassaleg Burial Board and the 14 Locks Committee. Several community initiatives were also discussed at the annual general meeting at Tydu Community Hall on May 7. A working group has been tasked with revising tenancy agreements for allotments and exploring a tenant-led self-management model. A meeting with tenants is expected once internal proposals are finalised. The council also announced a scaled-back Remembrance Sunday event for 2025. Due to logistical challenges, including the unavailability of a marching band and road closures, the event will feature a wreath-laying ceremony at the library followed by a service at St John's Church. Rogerstone Community Council expressed concern over several ongoing issues, including the lack of police presence at meetings and antisocial behaviour in local parks. The council has requested senior officers to attend the next session and address these issues. In response to complaints about off-lead dogs and waste in Welfare Grounds, the council is seeking assistance from Newport City Council to explore possible enforcement and education measures. The council also discussed limited access to local GP services and reminded residents that issues should be raised with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. A potential site for a nurses' station remains in reserve at Jubilee Park. In response to community interest, one of the existing tennis courts will be adapted for pickleball use.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Preparations underway for Rogerstone community festival in 2025
Preparations are underway for the Rogerstone community festival. The event, which is organised by the Rogerstone Community Council, will see insurance and risk management matters addressed in partnership with Ecclesiastical Insurance. The festival is set to be held at the Welfare Grounds on August 31 with further details still to be confirmed. The council said it is keen to ensure the festival is a safe and enjoyable event for all attendees. It is one of several initiatives that the community council is focusing on for 2025. The council has also announced the appointment of a new chairperson and deputy chairperson for the year. Councillor C. Larcombe will serve as the new chairperson for 2025/2026, and Councillor S. Bowen will take on the role of deputy chairperson. The council has confirmed a range of key appointments, including members to the interim planning committee and representatives to public bodies such as the Rogerstone and Bassaleg Burial Board and the 14 Locks Committee. Several community initiatives were also discussed at the annual general meeting at Tydu Community Hall on May 7. A working group has been tasked with revising tenancy agreements for allotments and exploring a tenant-led self-management model. A meeting with tenants is expected once internal proposals are finalised. The council also announced a scaled-back Remembrance Sunday event for 2025. Due to logistical challenges, including the unavailability of a marching band and road closures, the event will feature a wreath-laying ceremony at the library followed by a service at St John's Church. Rogerstone Community Council expressed concern over several ongoing issues, including the lack of police presence at meetings and antisocial behaviour in local parks. The council has requested senior officers to attend the next session and address these issues. In response to complaints about off-lead dogs and waste in Welfare Grounds, the council is seeking assistance from Newport City Council to explore possible enforcement and education measures. The council also discussed limited access to local GP services and reminded residents that issues should be raised with the Aneurin Bevan Health Board. A potential site for a nurses' station remains in reserve at Jubilee Park. In response to community interest, one of the existing tennis courts will be adapted for pickleball use.


Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
All the photos as Wexford Festival Opera volunteers unwind with traditional summer barbecue
Over 150 volunteers attended the pre festival summer barbeque in Whites Hotel on Thursday June 5. The volunteers were joined by members of the Wexford Festival Opera and National Opera House teams for this annual barbecue, to thank them for their commitment and work both throughout the festival and across the year. Sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance, the Wexford Festival Volunteer Programme has over 350 volunteers from all over the county who support the festival and dedicate their time to all aspects of the programme of events. The 74th Wexford Festival Opera will kick off on October 17. For more see:
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cumbrian churches urged to 'take steps' against theft ahead of Easter
A SPECIALIST insurance firm is urging churches to take steps to prevent being a victim of theft as they welcome visitors over the Easter period. With Easter considered the most important date in the Christian calendar, churches up and down the country will be hosting services and events, bringing together congregations and the wider community. However, with the extra footfall, there is concern about opportunistic thieves potentially stealing cash and priceless items in the process. A freedom of information request has revealed that 47 thefts from religious buildings had been recorded by Cumbria Police since the start of 2020. The number of recorded incidents had also risen year on year from seven in 2020 to a high of 11 in both 2023 and 2024. In 2023, more than £1,200 and historic silverware was stolen from St John's Church in Keswick. The numbers come at a time of a 'worrying' new trend of silver theft from churches, which has seen irreplaceable silverware worth over £500,000 stolen from churches across the UK over the last 12 months. Churches have long been targeted by thieves stripping copper and lead from their roofs, but this emerging issue poses a threat to priceless historical and religious artefacts. Break-ins across the country have left a trail of destruction, with stained glass windows shattered, heavy oak doors forced open with angle grinders, and even explosives used to access safes, which has left churches devastated in their wake. Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: 'Theft from church buildings can have a heart-breaking impact, both on the volunteers and congregation who worship at the church – even more so during such an important time for Christians and the church. READ MORE: Outrage after video shows youths riding motorbikes in Dalston Cemetery | News and Star 'Sadly we're seeing more incidents where churches are being targeted, with items such as silver, cash, statues, artwork, furniture and even paving stones being stolen. "Thankfully there are steps churches can take to help protect themselves, including storing valuables in a high-quality modern safe in a secure area of the church when they're not in use, or storing items off-site where suitable alternative security arrangements can be made and with the approval of church insurers. 'We want churches to be open to welcome their communities, congregations and potential visitors – especially during Easter - but we must all be aware of the risks.'