A campaign has been launched aimed to convince the Methodist Church to reconsider their decision to evict a family from a property they own, in order to house a new minister coming from the mainland this year.
Former Isle of Wight councillor, Julia Baker-Smith, got in touch with News OnTheWight last week to explain,
“I grew up in Bembridge with my friend Kim Sotiropulo (was Noyes). Our mums were friends before we were born, we went to Bembridge primary together and have been friends now for nearly 40 years.
“While I moved on, Kim has raised her family (five girls) in Bembridge. Her younger girls are still at the primary school.
“Her teenage daughter has a health condition requiring multiple operations and she is undergoing regular tests.”
At the heart of the community
Julia explains that throughout the pandemic Kim has volunteered in the community, delivering food and prescriptions to elderly and vulnerable people and was recently given an award for her voluntary work.
She adds,
“They have lived in their house, which they rent from the Methodist Church, since 2013. The family can’t afford to buy in Bembridge and can’t find anything suitable to rent, so if they are evicted they will have no choice but to leave the village they have lived in for 40 years, and where their parents/grandparents and extended family still live.
“Their whole lives are in the village and Kim is central to the community.”
The petition
The petition calls for the Methodist Church to reconsider their decision and find an alternative to evicting the family. If you wish to support the family you can sign the petition on the Change.org Website.
Six months notice given
Rev John Izzard on behalf of the Methodist Church told News OnTheWight,
“When it was decided that the arrival of a new minister would require the use of this property, the current tenants were spoken to personally and advised of the end of the agreement.
“A six-month notice period has been given for the family to make alternative arrangements.
“We will continue to work with the family regarding the matter.”
Article edit
3.15pm 5th Jan 2021 – Comment from Rev Izzard added
Image: engin akyurt under CC BY 2.0
