The local press has an honourable history of serving its localities, none more so that the 'Alcester Chronicle' over a period of 130 years:its reports are a source of primary importance to local historians. In modern times, however, one cannot always be sure of the accuracy of the reporting, which is bad luck for local researchers in twenty, fifty or a hundred years in the future. A recent example from Alcester illuminates the criticism, namely the restoration of the rectorship to the Reverend David Capron, who had ministered at the parish church as 'priest in charge'. Surely the 'Alcester Chronicle' ought to have sent a journalist to the event who had some knowledge of ecclesiastical history and procedure. The press report, in fact, was the sort which the 'Daily Telegraph' quotes regularly as a howler.

The priest-in-charge was said to be 'Vicar of Alcester', (a title never held by an incumbent at Alcester) but now made into Rector. The report tells us that the new Rector was 'institutionalised' at the ceremony: this is somewhat different from being 'instituted' and 'inducted' into the benefice of Alcester.

We are delighted that St. Nicholas has a rector again and that we may call his home the 'Rectory' once more.

Autumn 1995 Index