Vicar 'hated' for offer of a roof for Newquay homeless
A VICAR has been branded "the most hated man in Newquay" for allowing homeless "scum" to use his church as an overnight refuge.
Chris McQuillen-Wright opened the doors of St Columb Minor church last month following the deaths of six rough sleepers on the resort's streets in 2011.
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Reverend Chris McQuillen-Wright
In just four weeks, more than 20 people have come to the village seeking shelter from the wind, rain and frost – but many angry locals are boosting security at their homes amid fears of a mini-crime wave.
Reputation
One villager even squared up to Mr McQuillen-Wright to tell him his reputation in the community was now in tatters.
Speaking about Newquay's homeless problem at a town council committee meeting on Thursday, he said: "This man had his hands close to my face and said, 'You're the most hated man in this town.
'You've allowed this scum into our town'."
Basil Skinner, chairman of St Columb Minor Residents' Association, told the Cornish Guardian he had been inundated with complaints about the influx of homeless people.
He said many felt "intimidated and threatened" by their new neighbours.
"It hasn't gone down well in the community," said Mr Skinner. "People have said they don't want these sorts of people roaming around the village. They don't think the vicar should be encouraging it.
"I've had lots of reports. One woman doesn't feel safe walking home at night and another resident in the square has put a lock on his shed door because he's noticed activity.
"It's a culture shock to people here," Mr Skinner said.
Newquay's acting police inspector James Honeywill said he was aware of residents' concerns and had promised to step up patrols.
However, he added: "I'd like to stress that there has been no associated increase in any reported crime and nothing to suggest any of these individuals is responsible for any crime in the area."
One homeless man, 29-year-old Neil Watt, said people shouldn't be so quick to judge. A relationship break-up over Christmas left him with nowhere to sleep.
"The church being open is like a godsend," he said. "The temperature has really come down over the last few nights.
"I don't know what would have happened to me without the church to go to.
"I've gone from sitting in front of my 42-inch plasma TV with my wife, eating chocolates, to just having one stick of chewing gum to eat in a day.
"These people shouldn't judge without knowing what kind of people we are.
"A lot of us haven't brought this situation on ourselves. We're not all drug addicts; we've just literally got nowhere to stay."
Congregation
Mr McQuillen-Wright, who is the vice-chairman of homelessness charity the St Petroc's Society and once ran a night shelter in Manchester, said his congregation was supporting his actions.
"I can understand why not everyone in the village is happy with these arrangements and I have listened to several local residents who have approached me with their concerns," he said.
"However, at the end of the day we've had deaths in Newquay and we need to try to alleviate the problem.
"If the church opening its doors helps with this, then that's what I'll do."
109 Comments
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by tlsambo
Sunday, January 29 2012, 8:54PM
“Hi Mike
If you are remaining 100% Neutral then why are you also "seeking to shine a light on the small mindedness of some people"?!!
Well done vicar Chris for helping these people, it's very pleasing to hear that our local church is being put to such a generous use, a truly christian act, unlike those who criticise you!
I think the most hated people in Newquay are the NIMBYs who are attacking our well meaning, bold and much loved Vicar Chris. You can clearly see that I have no intention of reaming neutral on this issue.
I also agree with Hanky Spanky that the headline is deliberately written to sound as if it is an attack on our vicar with a thinly diguised attempt to leave it sounding neutral. Maybe this is highlights why the Guardian has fallen from favour in the town over the last couple of years.”
by AngryAlly
Saturday, January 28 2012, 7:44AM
“Sometimes you win a prize and sometimes you've got to give it back...”
by adrianclark
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 10:49AM
“Great work Chris for flushing out all the church attending nominal Christians in the parish who need to get to know the living, risen, sovereign Christ Jesus. When you think about it, it's hardly surprising he's getting a hard time, after all he worships a broke, homeless, virgin who was abandoned by his friends, falsely accused by the religious crowd, tortured by the authorities and murdered. The BIble never promises that being a Jesus loving Christian was going to be easy.”
by Hanky_Spanky
Wednesday, January 25 2012, 1:39AM
“I have to say I found that a completely disingenuous response from the News Editor and a belated attempt at damage limitation.
In my view the first sentence was deliberately sensationalised in saying A vicar has been branded (note the emotive word branded) "the most hated man in Newquay." Surely if the paper was just quoting Chris McQuillen-Wright's own words a more appropriate phrase would be "has described himself as the most hated man ....etc." "Been branded" implies someone else has 'branded' him.
I think this report was poor and the News Editor stepping in at a late stage has done nothing to help.”
by Elaine_Poole
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 10:36PM
“I think if I had the headline about me the most hated lady in newquay in huge letters would surely upset me and will sway peoples opinions about what is actually written...The high light to the homeless came when our two friends nigel and Ian died and suddenly it came to the fore front of the news even spotlight attended URC church soup kitchen a few days afterwards interviewing Shane who was a Nigels friend who found him and rang the Amulance...I think CG should publically apologise to Rev Chris Wright as you could have done damage to a guy who saw a need and meet that need and got slained by the news paper for it”
by Mike_Jarvis
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 9:56PM
“In response to some of the criticsim the Cornish Guardian has received on here.
The CG was the first paper to highlight the issue of Newquay's 'inner city' homelessness problem eight weeks. ago The subsequent attention by our media rivals and indeed the action now being looked at by local authorities and other individuals would not have happened was it not for us raising awareness.
With reference to this story, the CG should not be criticised for daring to report the facts from a public meeting. Chris McQuillen-Wright himself said he was the 'most hated man' - The quote in the headline is exactly that - a quote. It is not this newspaper saying it but Chris McQuillen-Wright himself! I challenge anyone to find a line in the story (above) where the CG is saying he is the most hated man.... I would hope that anyone who actually reads the story comes to the fairly obvious conclusion that the headline invites the question 'how can he be hated for helping the most vulnerable?'
The story itself is balanced and seeks to shine a light on the small mindedness of some people. The chairman of St Columb Minor Residents' Association admits, however, that there are issues with the idea of the church opening its doors..
The Cornish Guardian remains 100% neutral on this issue and does not take a stance. Unlike some local media we do remain totally objective. However, we do not and should not shy away from reporting a story as it should be, just to right some nice 'positive' headlines. I make no apologies for that.
Mike Jarvis, News Editor, Cornish Guardian”
by Elaine_Poole
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 4:23PM
“I attended the parish meeting at st column Minor church last night along with councillors, the mayor and the residence of the village to discuss the latest headlines of this news paper and to put the residence at ease about all the negative reports again Rev Chris Wright...There was no negativity again Rev Chris Wright, only praise and admiration from the residence that attented the meeting of his care and support that gives to the homeless ...It was said by the chairman, that the headlines of this news paper was very servere against Rev Chris who was only offering help and support to the homeless in the town..the issue of the stabbing and this was cleared by Rev Chris...The local pub has opened up thier outsides toilet to offer support to the church as part of the facility is locked up for security reasons during the evening..Newquay Voice however are going to run an article this week of the meeting...it was a very positive outcome for Rev Chris and he pointed out things in the nation will become worse with Families possibly losing their homes due to the goverments cap on benefits, and should distract ourselves from these headlines and look at the bigger problems facing us as a town and country...”
by SKoM_
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 3:43PM
“How sad
Such intollerance is endemic in what is supposed to be a christian country. I've met far too many who put on their masks on a Sunday morning and tuck it away by lunchtime
This exact attitude is reflected in part of Exeter where they are opening a hostel.”
by Lynnielynette
Tuesday, January 24 2012, 2:13PM
“Not too many Christians like the good Reverend here. Having being raised in a Christian household I can say I am not surprised by the reaction. Good on you Reverend, stick to your guns.”
by adrianclark
Monday, January 23 2012, 8:59PM
“Great action for flushing out the nominal christians.”