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downsmail.co.uk Marrying science and the church


SCIENCE and religion do make perfect partners, according to Rev Dr Richard Venn – rural dean and vicar of the Len Valley Benefice for the last eight years.


“People seem to think the two disciplines don’t mix, but I strongly disagree; it’s amyth, a cat- egory error”, says the academic and scientist whose earliest re- search was into Viagra. He said: “Some of the most emi-


nent scientists are Christians and probably have a better feel for spir- ituality because they look at things in an analytical way. Religion isn’t about believing the worldwas cre- ated in a certain number of days, but that it was and that we allow the power of God into our lives.” Richard, pictured, remembers


his passion for the sciences rather than religion growing faster as a boy, encouraged by his father Robert. He remembers: “My dad was brought up in a strictly religious family and he rebelled. As a pris- oner of war his experiences finally ‘did religion for him’. Together we’d build things like electric static high-voltage speakers in the lounge when I was eight.” Richard found religion during a mission meeting in Tunbridge Wells, which put “the jigsaw pieces of his Christian understanding” to- gether. “Prior to that I’d been a foul- mouthed kid,” he recalls, “lying to myparents about going to an after- school club when, in fact, I played guitar in a rock band called The Headhunters. That encounter at the mission meeting was life- changing.”


placements in Connecticut; Impe- rial College, London; Liverpool and Cardiff. He then entered the commercial world, joining Pfizer in Sandwich and remembers his time there with huge affection. He said: “My claim to fame here


was that I killed off the research into Viagra because it did not per- form. “Wewere looking at its potential


as a treatment for angina and it was only later when the research was picked up again that its other attributes came to light.” Based in Sandwich with his teacher wife Helen and four chil- dren, he finally made the decision to enter the church – “walking away from a six-figure package at Pfizer”. He had been looking for an edgy


But there were lessons along the


way and, after earning a place at Oxford, he found himself out on his ear after failing his first-year exams. He remembers: “I was clearly very able, but I never learned to work or apply myself and it was devastating to be de- moted like this.” Nevertheless, a tutor – “a stri-


dent atheist”, he recalls – found him a place at Leeds University where he earned a PHd in bio- chemistry. He entered the world of scientific research, studying the body’s natural pain defences, with


urban placement, but found him- self in charge of a multi-church benefice, incorporating the rural parishes of Ulcombe, Harrietsham, Boughton Malherbe and Lenham. But he believes thiswas meant to


be and he has devoted much of his time to preparing them, with sup- porters including Rev Millie Hart, for the future. Rev Venn said: “The Church has


been around for thousands of years and if it’s not to die then it has got to become a vibrant centre of the community again. “God needs to touch people and, without diluting the message, we need to open the Church not just to those who know what it’s about


Tributes to UKIP’s ‘quiet man’


TRIBUTES have been paid to Maid- stone’s first-ever UKIP councillor and leader of the group, Cllr Dave Sargeant, who has died suddenly after a heart attack. Cllr Sargeant (77), of Westmore- land Road, Shep- way, passed away at Maidstone Hos- pital. He is survived


by his wife June, daughters Ruth and Heather and grandchildren


Megan and James. A statement released by his fam-


ily said he would be “greatly missed”. Cllr Sargeantwas an active mem-


ber of theVine Church who greeted worshippers at the door and was known for a fine singing voice. He was passionate about helping


young people, acting as a mentor to many of them, and fought hard to protect the play areas in his patch and get improved facilities for youngsters. His friend and colleague Cllr


Eddie Powell said: “He was a quite amazing person. I was blown away by the number of people whose lives he touched.” Liberal Democrat Cllr Dave


Naghi said: “Hewas one of the most genuine and nicest men you could wish to meet.” Cllr FranWilson, leader of Maid-


stone Borough Council, said: “Cllr Sargeant was passionate about the people and communities he repre- sented andwas a hard-working and enthusiastic member of the council. He will be greatly missed. We would like to offer our sympathy to Cllr Sargeant’s wife and family at this sad time.”


Cllr Sargeant was elected to the council in May 2014, as one of the two members for Shepway South and served on several committees. He was regarded as a hard- working and committed member. Born in Doncaster, south York-


shire, he was a former pastor and was respected for his quiet and in- offensive manner. Cllr Sargeant was a keen Don-


caster Rovers supporter and was a skilled sportsman in his youth, play- ing for Sheffield Wednesday’s jun- iors and cricket for his county boys’ team. After he was made redun- dant, he set up a window-cleaning business and in retirement he en- joyed photography, birdwatching and writing poetry. Cllr Sargeant’s funeral will be


held at 12.30pm on Thursday June 2 at TheVine Church, Boughton Lane, Maidstone ME15 9QF.


For more local news www.downsmail.co.uk 26 Maidstone East June 2016 Peahen party?


DRIVERS were brought to a standstill by these two peahens who took a daytrip to Hollingbourne. The two ladies, who went


walkabout in the area and dawdled into the road during their excursion, were finally collected and returned home by staff from Leeds Castle.


but to those who don’t.” He has announced that he will


retire in September and hopes that the Len Benefice is now in a better shape to face the challenges ahead. Not only has his work helped to


halt falling church attendance in the area, but congregations have actually grown. This has been achieved through initiatives including messy church, a men’s breakfast at the vicarage, introducing a mother and toddler group, wi-fi at churches and adapt- ing the buildings to include dis- abled ramps, toilets and kitchens. There’s even a wi-fi café at Ul- combe church. Rev Venn says he will miss mak-


ing jokes in his sermons, will not miss the extremely busy work schedule and will regret not hav- ing spent more time in the pub – a great place to meet people. He hopes his retirement will


allow him to spend more time with his family, including those now living in Spain, and holding more dinner parties at his new home in Marlsbury. His link with the Church is also likely to continue. He adds: “I am addicted to God. I tried to give it up once and it lasted a week. I think we’re all called to live as God’s people.” And as for his guitar, which he


has continued to play during church services, perhaps there will now be time to relive his childhood rock dream.


Dawn Kingsford


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