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Row as vicar shelves Headingley church magazine
Members of a Headingley church are in uproar, claiming their monthly magazine was pulled because it asked readers to object to plans to revamp the historic building.
The paid-for monthly magazine of St Chad's C of E church was shelved at the last minute in June despite copies already being printed.
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The vicar, Rev Barry Overend, said it was for "private and confidential" reasons.
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However, a source said it was because the editor had asked readers to object to a controversial renovation of the church and gave an address for people to write to.
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Plans include the removal of the pulpit, platforms and pews, which would be replaced by chairs, and installing a new lighting system as well as relocating the font.
The vicar declined to comment on the issue but Richard Crooks, of Richard Crooks Partnership which is behind the plans, said there had been full consultation on plans to refurbish the Grade Two Listed church, in Otley Road, Far Headingley.
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But a source said that although the plans are on view outside the church, there had not been a full discussion with the congregation about the proposals – particularly in the light that the Parish Magazine was pulled when it reported on the issue.
The St Chad's Parish Magazine, which sells more than 500 copies a month, asked for anyone who wanted to object to write to the Diocesan Registrar before the deadline which was Monday, June 22.
A spokesman from the Diocesan Registrar said that objections had been received.
The voluntary editor of the magazine, Roger Davis, has now resigned and it is unclear whether the publication will continue after next month's issue. The magazine is sold in post offices, shops and local businesses.
In the pulled June issue, it was stated that it was the third time the vicar had asked the editors, who have run it for over four years, to remove an article at the last minute. They said they tried to maintain editorial independence and claim that pulling the issue was undemocratic.
The issues are funded by local businesses who pay to advertise every month and partly by the cover price of 50p.
A source told the YEP: "The June issue was printed and the Parochial Church Council (PCC) decided that because of its content it would not be distributed. "
Commenting on the proposals, the source said: "The interior has many classical features and the re-ordering proposals would ruin a beautiful church."
The PCC, which is made up of elected members, and the vicar are said to have given the plans the green light but some people are against the scheme.
Richard Crooks said the plans had been in the pipeline for 10 years and the current proposals are finally ready after full consultation with the congregation and the community.
He told the YEP: "There are works that need to be done to make the building more appropriate for present and future use and it's in no one's interests to do anything that will spoil what is a very fine interior."
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