Charlie Taylor

The Agapemonites, a Victorian religious cult founded by former Church of England priest Henry James Prince in Spaxton, Somerset, prevented members from leaving, demanded their fortunes and conducted purported religious sex ceremonies. Several members died by suicide, while the Nottidge sisters were pressured to marry followers and surrender their inheritance. After Prince's death in 1899, John Hugh Smyth-Piggott took over and caused public outrage by claiming to be Jesus Christ. The group declined after Piggott's death in 1927, and its former chapel later became a television studio and is now an Airbnb rental.

The Agapemonites were a Victorian religious cult founded near Spaxton by Henry James Prince, who claimed to embody the Holy Spirit, demanded members’ fortunes and prohibited them from leaving. Women were pressured into marriages and sexual ceremonies that Prince presented as religious rites, while several members died by suicide. After Prince’s death, John Hugh Smyth-Piggott became leader and claimed to be Jesus Christ, prompting public riots. The group declined after Piggott’s death, and its former chapel later became a television studio and is now an Airbnb.

Somerset MP Anna Sabine is recovering from vocal cord damage caused by thyroid surgery and is undergoing speech therapy while exploring treatment options. BBC presenter Nick Robinson, who experienced similar voice loss after cancer surgery, expressed empathy and support following her comments about his recovery. Sabine plans to seek accommodations on her return to Parliament, while Robinson highlighted the crucial role of speech therapists in regaining his voice.