Curate and wife evicted in 6am raid

A CHURCH of England curate who chained himself to his kitchen sink to avoid eviction was forced from his home yesterday after a 6am raid by bailiffs backed by his bishop, writes Mary Braid.

On Monday, more than 40 parishioners foiled the bailiffs' first attempt to evict the Rev David Bamber, 42, and his wife Elizabeth, 35, from the vicarage beside St Swithin's Church, Retford, Nottinghamshire.

The eviction follows the Bishop of Southwell's decision a year ago not to renew Mr Bamber's licence when his contract as curate to West and East Retford parishes ran out.

This week, parishioners have written to the Retford Times, suggesting the bishop and a vicar, the Rev John Ottey, who also backed the eviction, should go instead.

Mr Bamber claims he was sacked after taking too much time off work when his wife had a nervous breakdown. The diocese says it tried to find Mr Bamber another job and offered him alternative accommodation, but he refused.