Tribute to the Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell (1943–2025)

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We give thanks for the life of the Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell, former Bishop of Ely, who died on 9 July after a long illness.

Known to many simply as Tony, he combined deep Christian faith with a lifelong love of the countryside. Coming from a farming family, and trained as a sociologist of religion, he had a rare gift for helping the Church understand rural life and respond to its changing needs.

Before becoming Bishop of Ely, Anthony served parishes in Norwich and Coventry dioceses, alongside acting as Chaplain and later Director of the Arthur Rank Centre at Stoneleigh. It was here, in the 1970s and 80s, that he played a central role in shaping modern rural ministry. His ability to listen, distil complex ideas, and quietly offer words of wisdom made him a trusted and steady leader.

Anthony’s writings, including The Village in Myth and Reality (1975), The Country Parish and The Country Parson, inspired fresh thinking about rural churches at a time of social and agricultural change. He was instrumental in developing group ministries, in encouraging collaboration between clergy, and in persuading Archbishop Robert Runcie to establish the Archbishop’s Commission on Rural Areas.

As Director of the Arthur Rank Centre, he expanded the work to become the nationally recognised hub for rural ministry across the British Churches, supported the Rural Chaplains network, and helped found the Rural Theology Association. He also contributed internationally through the creation of the International Rural Churches Association.

Later consecrated as Bishop of Dorchester and then Bishop of Ely, Anthony continued to be known as a “safe pair of hands” — trusted, wise, and with a wry sense of humour. His presence alone carried reassurance, and when he spoke, it was with clarity and purpose.

In retirement, Anthony himself reflected that his time at the Arthur Rank Centre was the period of ministry he most enjoyed, and where he felt he had done the most for the Churches.

We at the Arthur Rank Centre give thanks for his vision, his leadership, and his devotion to the Church and countryside. His legacy continues to shape our work today.

Thanks be to God.

This tribute draws on obituaries written by the Rt Revd Dr John Inge (first published in the Church Times, 22 August 2025) and by Canon Andrew Bowden (16 August 2025), shared with the Arthur Rank Centre.

Open Farm Sunday & Pentecost celebrations

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In a creative first (*probably!) Rev Andy Lindley, Superintendent Minister of Ryedale Methodist Circuit in North Yorkshire gathered with folk from the circuit on Sunday 8 June 2025 to celebrate Pentecost and Open Farm Sunday at High Barn, Duggelby.

The Harrison and Russell families kindly hosted Norton Trinity and Scagglethorpe Methodist Churches. Andy led the service, linking the ancient Festival of the First Fruits, along with the Christian celebration of Pentecost, to the current practices of limited use of pesticides and herbivores at High Barn.

This was followed by sharing a meal together and having a tour of the farm.

The farm tour included some rare breed cattle, and an explanation of the ways that this farm has taken an environmental stance and encouraged nature in various ways.

Rev Andy said;

 “A highlight and abiding memory was a curlew flying past, just as we were learning how reducing chemicals and investing in the soil, had not only encouraged soil health and crop health, but also attracted three curlews to nest on one of the fields. The time spent on the farm was one of wonder and joy. Being able to celebrate Pentecost away from our usual building brought enthusiasm and inspiration to all who were gathered.”

[*Please let us know if you have also celebrated Open Farm Sunday combined with Pentecost!]

Bringing Rural Voices to Westminster: ARC at the Climate Lobby

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On 9 July 2025, we were proud to represent The Arthur Rank Centre at the Climate Coalition’s mass lobby in Westminster—a gathering that brought together thousands of people from across the UK to speak with MPs about climate justice, creation care, and the future of our communities.

We arrived in London the evening before, preparing for a day of conversations and connection. Based at the QEII Centre opposite Parliament, our stand offered a meeting point for those interested in both climate and countryside—recognising that while these concerns are sometimes seen in tension, they must ultimately be held together.

Dialogue at the heart

Throughout the day, the event buzzed with energy, purpose, and hope. We were heartened by the number of people who came to talk, to listen, and to share. Many expressed their gratitude that rural voices—particularly those of farmers and rural communities—were being represented in these conversations about climate and policy.

We had the joy of sharing our message with passers-by, handing out beetroot seeds (a symbol of rooting hope in the land), and reflecting on the shared values that unite climate advocates, food producers, and people of faith. It was encouraging to see that the complexity of rural life was understood and respected by so many who stopped to talk.

Youth voices and shared hope

A particular highlight was seeing Joshua, our 17-year-old work experience student, speaking with visitors and engaging with those attending. He brought insight and passion as he shared both the views of rural young people and his experience of being part of the ARC community.

We’re especially grateful to everyone who visited the stand, took time to reflect, and entered into meaningful conversations.

We also contributed to the lead-up to the event by writing a short piece with Sarah Hulme – Methodist Church’s Rural Mission and Ministry Officer for the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT), reflecting on the urgent need to bring together climate concern, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods.

👉 Read the article here: Restoring Nature for a Safer, Healthier Future

Looking ahead

As we travelled home that evening, tired but encouraged, we carried with us a deep sense of connection: between people, between land and climate, and between churches and the world around them.

May the seeds we planted that day—conversations, beetroot, and glimpses of mutual understanding—continue to grow.

RESTORE on the Road – Faith, Friendship and a Van Full of Welcome

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RESTORE on the road – popping up at villages and summer agricultural shows around the Eden Valley.

RESTORE is a small group of charity shops in North Cumbria, established to build community with those who do not normally attend traditional Church. “There are lots of us who struggle to find a space where we belong, so we seek to include and empower those who may struggle to find welcome elsewhere,” says chaplain & pioneer lead Rev Beth Honey.

 

“We currently run five shops, each offering a wide range of pre-owned goods AND seeking to create a community around it where people can feel welcomed, valued and supported. There are opportunities to discover what it means to be valued and to regain a sense of belief in ourselves and in God. These opportunities include a Community Shed (woodwork & mental health) project, and regular spaces for reflection and prayer.”

Out of these communities has sprung ‘RESTORE on the Road’ – a new project taking the signature RESTORE community spaces on the road and into rural villages and summer agricultural shows in the Eden Valley. Truly committed to bringing people together and recognising the challenges of public transport in these village communities that can so often lead to loneliness & isolation, the charity have recently purchased an electric van.

I met with Tamara Morris, RESTORE on the road volunteer & van driver. She has first-hand lived experience of rural life and the challenges it can bring for everyday life. She is in recovery from several addictions and has found a renewed faith in God during this time too. Tamara’s face lights up when asked why she volunteers with RESTORE; “If it wasn’t for recovery I would never have met Beth and got involved. I turned up one Sunday at a local church, was introduced to Beth and the RESTORE project. I love driving and finally felt like I was in a good place in life where I could offer to volunteer and give something back. The vision for the van inspired me and volunteering has really helped grow my confidence.”

Skelton Show was Tamara’s first experience of an agricultural show, “It was such an amazing day, I didn’t want to leave! There was a real sense of community and welcome. People stopped to chat and engage in our activities. They were often surprised that we were offering it free and appreciated our generosity.” RESTORE on the road partnered with the local Network Youth Church and Methodist circuit to engage show-goers of all ages, offering prayer spaces, crafts, games including ‘bat the rat’, refreshments & more. With over two hundred great chats, shared postcards, sweets & handmade knitted animals (made by members of a weekly RESTORE on the road craft group in a local village) the volunteer team truly blessed and encouraged visitors to the agricultural show.

RESTORE on the road will be appearing at other local agricultural shows over the summer, as well as popping up in various villages across the Eden valley. Partnering with the local library and adult learning, they’ve already had conversations with nearly one hundred families across three villages in the first week of the summer holidays.

 

 

For further information about RESTORE, please see: https://restorecumbria.co.uk/

To view the highlights of RESTORE’s collaboration at Skelton Show with Network Youth Church and the local Methodist Church at Cottage Wood, please visit their Facebook page.