Canterbury, a historic city on the River Stour in Kent, is famed for its cathedral, ancient walls and university influence.
The Church of England has issued a formal apology for historical adoption practices in mother‑and‑baby homes between 1949 and 1976. Archbishop Sarah Mullally has described the pain and stigma faced by survivors as lifelong, with tens of thousands affected in England and Wales. The church says it is listening, lamenting, and learning, and notes records were incomplete. Government and church-linked homes are linked to tens of thousands of adoptions.
As of March 27, 2026, a meningitis B outbreak linked to a 'super-spreader' event at Canterbury's Club Chemistry nightclub has resulted in at least 29 confirmed and suspected cases, including two deaths. The infection has spread to multiple universities and schools in Kent and one case in London. Authorities have launched targeted vaccination and antibiotic treatment campaigns to contain the outbreak.
Dame Sarah Mullally, the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury, is undertaking a six-day pilgrimage along the historic Becket Camino route from London to Canterbury. The walk, which marks her upcoming installation, follows the path of Thomas Becket and includes stops at key religious sites. This is the first modern pilgrimage of its kind for an Archbishop before enthronement.
On March 25, 2026, Sarah Mullally was formally installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury at Canterbury Cathedral, becoming the first woman to hold the role. The ceremony was attended by Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and international religious leaders. Mullally prayed for peace in conflict zones and acknowledged the Church's past safeguarding failures. Her appointment has sparked divisions within the Anglican Communion, especially with conservative groups opposing her leadership.
Since mid-April, Scottish dealmaking has shown signs of recovery with high-profile transactions like NatWest's acquisition of Evelyn Partners and AG Barr's acquisitions. However, deal completion remains challenging due to longer processes, deeper due diligence, and cautious buyers, especially outside top-tier assets. Market activity is more selective and competitive.
A fourth case of meningococcal disease has been confirmed in Reading, Berkshire, linked to a wider social network associated with two deaths in Kent. The pupil at Westwood Farm Junior School is recovering; three cases in Reading and Henley College have prompted precautionary antibiotics for close contacts. Public risk to the wider community remains low.