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THE BECK AND TRENT CHURCHES
Some facts Diocese Southwell and Nottingham
Deanery Newark and Southwell
Parish Church Population(2011)
Sutton on Trent All Saints 1,331
Norwell (including Norwell Woodhouse) St Laurence 490
Caunton St Andrew 483
Cromwell St Giles 232
Carlton on Trent St Mary 229
Ossington Holy Rood 100*estimate
Total population 2,865
Our name is taken from the River Trent which forms the eastern boundary of our parishes and The Beck which flows
through some of the parishes.
Our vision
The six churches have been working together for two years under the inspiring guidance of our priest in charge who left
due to family relocation. A Group Council meets several times a year to plan services and other events and to deal with
Diocesan and Deanery directives.
We are exploring our shared vision for rural churches. There is a desire to nurture those who are strengthened by a
traditional approach to worship. There is also an openness to new and imaginative ways of worshipping and a wish to
reach out to those with little church background so that they discover a spiritual dynamic in their lives. As you will see
from the Diocesan Statement, this is very much in line with our Bishop’s commitment to promoting church growth. A
special focus is to develop work with children and young people. We recognise the importance that each church has in
its own parish and value the support given by the community.
Our vision is that we will be truly united in God’s work, but that we will also celebrate the diversity of the churches and
through that be an open and welcoming Christian presence in each parish.
Our new priest We warmly invite applications from those with experience as we feel that there are many opportunities for
development. We would also welcome applications from those looking for their first incumbency as we have the
experience and expertise to support them.
An ideal applicant would have
a living faith and spiritual wisdom which feeds a commitment to enabling and encouraging church growth
the ability to communicate their own faith and share it with inspiration and enthusiasm both in formal worship
of a range of traditions, and in other more informal situations
an understanding of rural parishes
willingness to be a pastoral presence in the community at the same time as being aware of what is possible in
the context of six different parishes; explore developing a pastoral care team
proven collaborative leadership; and be a good organiser with the ability to recognise the strengths of others;
delegate effectively, and experience of encouraging and developing lay ministers
We are six rural parishes of varying size. Each church is distinctive but
together we form a whole which provides a clear Christian witness
and mission in this attractive part of Nottinghamshire. There is easy
access to the local towns of Tuxford, Newark and Southwell, and
beyond that to Nottingham, Lincoln, Retford, Mansfield and Ollerton.
The A1 and the East Coast Mainline provide excellent contact with
London and the north and Scotland (see map). It is a lovely area in
which to live with good local facilities. There are also three primary
schools within the parishes (two of them voluntary controlled C of E)
which feed outstanding secondary schools in Tuxford (C of E Affiliated)
and Southwell (C of E).
enthusiasm to work alongside lay leaders with young people and with the schools in the parishes and encourage
links between them and the churches
a good sense of humour and lots of energy.
About us
Organisation of worship All churches offer a mixture of styles and types of worship which makes possible traditional worship and more modern
approaches for engaging younger families and others less traditional. Experimental styles of worship are explored. The
typical monthly pattern of services is as follows
Sundays 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th midweek
Group service (weekly)
Clergy led 1 2 2 2 1 1
Reader/lay led (could be clergy led) 2 2 2 1
Sutton works closely with the Methodists and there are joint services in church and in chapel.
Lay support in the Benefice
There is one Lay Reader who takes services in all churches; he also leads study groups, takes funerals and does baptism
preparation. There are also five Lay Leaders who lead services, usually in their own church and are involved in pastoral
care. Future plans for Lay Leaders include ‘Bite Size’ courses on leading worship.
Working with children and families There are a number of services and activities for children and families across the benefice which are usually based on the home church; they are often lay led. They are more frequent in the three parishes with a school. Services include Christingle, Messy church, Crib services, Candlemas, Mothering Sunday services, Harvest, Candlemas. There is co-operation with the schools and lay leaders regularly take collective worship. Time travelling in the three parishes with schools is being planned for 2016. Other activities
Between them the churches organise a full range of activities which means that each church is a very real and visible
Christian presence in its own community.
The Vicarage
The Vicarage is a spacious detached house situated on Main St Norwell , in a pleasant village location with good sized
plot and open fields to the rear. Accommodation is as follows
sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility, hallway with separate lobby to cloakroom with wc, and large office.
On the first floor are 4 large bedrooms, bathroom with white suite including bath and separate shower
mains water, electricity and drainage are connected. Oil fired central heating, with option of LPG gas for
cooking. Single attached garage and secure gated parking, plus large drive and turning area, with parking for
several cars.
extensive front and rear gardens, the rear being fully fenced, with enclosed patio/ courtyard area.
the office forms an excellent working and meeting space, self-contained from the main accommodation.
Beck & Trent Parishes
All Saints, Sutton on Trent
Overview of Church
All Saints dates from around 1200 and there has been a Church here since Saxon times. It is in fine
original condition having escaped Victorian renovation. Recent improvements have included
relocation of the organ, creation of self -contained meeting room, roof alarm, installation of solar PV
panels.
Quinquennial report done 2014: good condition overall with some routine work required, currently in
hand.
Groups – Christian Women’s Fellowship, Rummikub, Bell Ringers.
Overview of Worship
Current Sunday worship pattern includes one 9.00am Holy Communion (CW); a 10am Morning Payer
(CW); and a new ‘Village Service’, at which guest speakers talk about varied topics, previous topics
have included Tuxfood Food Bank, Notts Police Aid Convoys, and the Christian Motorcycle Group.
Every Thursday at 9.15am there is a said CW Holy Communion with a regular congregation of over a
dozen.
Currently 27 on the Electoral Roll
Occasional Offices
2013 2014 2015 (to November)
Baptisms 8 6 6
Weddings 1 3 2
Funerals (Church and or
Crem)
7 8 (to end of Oct) 2
Parish Finance
All Saints has financial reserves, due to sale of the Church Hall site some years ago. This has been
wisely managed and has enabled sensible renovation and improvement. However due to the large
parish share, reserves are now being diminished every year. A Funding Campaign in 2014 did result
in increased giving but not to full target, despite wide initial support. 100% Parish Share continues to
be paid.
Context of Village and Community
Sutton on Trent is the largest village in the Group with a population of about 1,500. Mixed socio-
economic groups, with a large council estate built on the edge of the village, many still social housing.
Good facilities include one pub, large Co-op store, primary school (over 100 children), two hair
dressers, two butchers shops, library (limited hours), garage, doctors surgery, several large
manufacturers & employers, and .a community/ sports centre situated at the edge of the village
Several working farms are situated in and around the village. Regular bus route between Retford and
Newark, and Marshall’s coaches is based and operated from Sutton There are strong links between
the Methodist Chapel and the Anglican church, in particular to special services: Remembrance
Sunday, Village Festivals and Harvest Festival.
Strengths Weaknesses
High profile in the village. Church in good condition,
with open useable grounds.
Regular congregation small in number (averaging
less than 20 people)
Strong link with Methodist Chapel Congregation mainly retired people.
Good links with village primary school Large Parish Share to pay, erosion of reserves
Potential for increased work with young families and
some valuable groundwork already done (Tea time
Praise)
Lack of large function space (no church/village
hall)
Strong support for social events and fund raising
initiatives, including ‘Acoustic Nights’ well supported by
different groups of villagers.
Beck and Trent Churches
Parish of St Laurence Norwell
Overview of the church
The church building is open throughout the day and is used for a wide range of social activities including talks
and lectures, themed concerts, teas and lunches, displays (frequently in conjunction with Norwell Parish
Heritage Group) and a Christmas Festival. People are encouraged to drop in, and the play area is sometimes
used by mothers and children during the day. Norwell Church of England Primary School frequently uses the
school for educational visits, as do cubs.
Overview of worship
At present there are two regular services a month, both at 9.00am. On the 1st Sunday of the month the
service is more informal; and on the 3rd it is Common Worship Holy Communion. In addition special services
are held throughout the year: Carol Service, Crib Service, Mothering Sunday Service; themed Open Churches
Service, Pet Service, Harvest and Remembrance Sunday. These are held either at 10.30am or 4.00pm. Other
themed serves are held as appropriated eg Outbreak of World War 1. Norwell Church of England Primary
School uses the church for five service as year. Attendance for regular services is between 10 and a dozen,
and higher (40 – 60) for special services. There are currently 25 people on the Electoral Roll and 10 people on
the PCC.
Occasional Offices
2013 2014 2015 to Nov
Baptisms 3 0 2
Weddings 1 0 1
Funerals (church and crem) 2 2 3
A church in Norwell was recorded in Domesday Book. The
building is Grade 1 listed and has a wealth of architectural
features from the 12th to the 16th century. Its Victorian
restoration was sympathetic and most of the earlier features
were retained. In the last 20 years parts of the church have
been adapted for catering and socialising; for a children’s play
area; for meetings and quiet meditation; and for displays.
There is full disabled access to the church, and toilet facilities
for the disabled have been put into the base of the tower. The
condition of the church is generally sound; lead was stolen in
2011 and three lead roofs have now been replaced with terne-
coated stainless steel; the current challenge is death watch
beetle in some of the floors. There are six bells and these are
rung by a joint team from Norwell and Caunton.
The churchyard is extensive and peaceful with many mature trees
and views over open country. It is well cared for and some areas
are managed for wildlife. There is also a grass labyrinth. The
churchyard is still used for burials and has a designated area for
cremated remains.
Parish Finance
The Parish Share is £8,800. Until recently this has always been paid in full, however, the theft of lead, other
maintenance work and now death watch beetle have meant that financial reserves have been severely
depleted and last year the share was not quite paid in full. Parishioners have supported fundraising activities
very generously. A funding campaign is under consideration for spring 2015. Where possible the church
supports a range of charities
Context of Village and Community
The parish consists of the village and of Norwell and the hamlet of Norwell Woodhouse with a total
population of approximately 490. Most of the housing is home ownership with some rented property and
some housing association and council housing. The population is mostly white, middle class and with a cluster
of retired people. The Church of England Primary School has about 50 pupils, there is also a pre-school
playgroup which uses the school site and facilities. The links with the school involve day to day visits and
assemblies; the school regularly uses the church and churchyard.
The facilities offered by the village are many: excellent Village Store which is a community hub, thriving pub
(with pub food), children’s play park, sports field and cricket pitch, Village Hall (with a wide range of
activities), and visits from a mobile library. The Parish Magazine is produced monthly and goes free to every
household in Norwell, Cromwell, Caunton and Ossington.
The church benefits from great support from the village for fundraising and social activities which have
included recently strawberry cream teas, wine tasting, beetle drive, drive way sales throughout the village and
a pop up pizza night. The church also organises Pancakes at the Plough on Shrove Tuesday and carol singing
round the village Christmas tree.
There are many social groups and secular organisations; the heritage group has close links with the church
and last year produced a new booklet, Norwell Church and Chapel.
Strengths Weaknesses
Skills, abilities and experience of the congregation Small average congregation at regular services, predominantly retired
Close links with and support from the village Outstanding essential building works
Links with the school
Open churchyard which is well-maintained
Beck & Trent Parishes
PARISH OF ST ANDREW’S CAUNTON
Overview of Church
The beautiful 12th century Church of St. Andrew’s is situated in the centre
of Caunton and is the main feature of the village. Although a large part of
the interior is Norman, over the following centuries, there have been
enlargements and alterations with the tower being completed in the 15th
century. Internally, there are several unique architectural features which are
detailed in a leaflet available to all visitors.
The next significant development came during the incumbency of Revd Samuel Reynolds Hole, Dean
of Rochester and founder of the Rose Society. It was at this time that the organ was installed.
More recently the community has raised the necessary funds to increase the number of bells from 3 to
6 as well as to install a new bell frame.
In 2008, a kitchen and disabled toilet facilities were installed in the base of the tower. At the same
time the pews on the north side were removed and replaced with a polished wooden floor, this gives a
versatile space for displays, children’s corner, serving of refreshments, etc.
During 2014 St. Andrew’s has been internally refurbished with the addition of new carpets and
electrics.
The inside of the Church is well cared for by volunteers – flowers, cleaning and refreshments are all
done on a rota system.
The Churchyard is one of the main attractions of St. Andrew’s, being well tended by a team of
volunteer mowers. It is planted with various types of trees, predominantly yew.
Overview of Worship
St. Andrew’s has three services per calendar month. The 1st Sunday - 10.30am all age, 2nd Sunday
8.00am HC – BCP and 3rd Sunday 6.00pm sung Evensong.
During the year special services include:- Plough Sunday, Mothering Sunday, Dawn Easter Sunday
Service, Father’s Day, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday, Patronal Service, Carol Services, Crib Service
and Midnight Mass.
Sidespeople and readers are organised on a rota basis and a special effort is made to ensure that a
warm welcome is given to all who attend services and the congregation in encouraged to stay for light
refreshments after the 10.30am service.
Our organist is highly dedicated and professional and also chooses hymns appropriate to the Biblical
calendar.
There are very strong links with the Primary School and the children frequently come into church
especially at the end of term, for a service.
Attendance at services average about 12 at regular ones but increases for those of a special nature.
There is a very committed PCC consisting of 10 members who are a vital support to our two
Churchwardens
There are currently 23 members on the Electoral roll.
Kidzone is our Sunday School Workshop which meets every month. It is aimed predominantly at
primary aged children, and parents are encouraged to join in the activities.
Deal Hole Primary C of E School
The village has an excellent C of E (VC) primary school of which our vicar
would be invited to act as a governor. The school has an enviable reputation as a
good and happy school, and although relatively small (50 full time pupils), it is of
great significance to our community. The school is consistently rated highly by
Ofsted and attracts many “non-catchment” children. Despite the small scale of the
school, the children participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, and
punch well above their weight in sports and drama competitions. The Christian
environment within the school is given very high priority. The school worships together daily, and fortnightly
the children lead the service and invite parents to join them. The daily act of collective worship is regularly led
by year groups, when parents are invited to attend, as well as outside providers. Previous clergy have also made
a regular contribution. The children are frequently in the church and share key services with the community, for
example at Harvest and Christmas. A recent new initiative has been to hold Prayer Spaces in the school
involving the vicar and other members of the Church and community.
The school has been rated “Outstanding” in three consecutive Diocesan inspections with particular reference to
spirituality, Collective Worship and the general ethos of the Church school.
Occasional Offices
2013 2014 2015 to Nov
Baptisms 4 8 6
Weddings 2 2 4
Funerals (Church and/or Crem) 6 7 5
There are 4 weddings booked for 2015
Parish Finance
Our regular income and expenditure are pretty much in equilibrium, and we have healthy balances in reserve.
There is a good level of village participation in our regular donation scheme, which demonstrates that the
community as a whole, values our beautiful Church and not just those who worship there.
We have consistently paid 100% of our Parish Share and aim to continue to do so.
We recently received a generous donation to cover the refurbishment of the internal fabric and fixtures of the
building.
We continue to monitor the building for signs of wear and tear/damage and implement repairs as necessary.
We annually give £400.00 to charities, which are decided upon by a group from the PCC
Our next Funding Programme is scheduled for September 2015
Context of Village and Community
Caunton is a small village and lies about 6 miles N/W of Newark, just off the A616, with Lincoln being 15
miles away and Nottingham about 20 miles. London is 80 minutes from Newark by way of East Coast
Mainland Railway. The School also doubles as our Community Centre. There are two pubs. Societies in and
around the village consist of Local History Society, WI, Garden Society, Local Singing Group, Tennis and
Cricket clubs, Lunch Club, as well as the Community Centre holding Bingo, Village Ventures (Rural
Travelling Arts), and Pilates. The school has a committed PTA. The Mobile Library visits once a month.
Links with other villages include organised Society outings and Village Ventures
Strengths Weaknesses
Supportive PCC Lack of provision for pastoral care
Strong links with the School are and mutually beneficial Failure to attract young people and children to services
Volunteer teams both inside and outside the building
Willingness to be flexible regarding services etc.
Kidzone provides a safe space for children’s worship and
regularly attracts over 10 children
Church open from dawn to dusk
St Mary’s Church, Carlton on Trent
Carlton on Trent is situated between the River Trent and the A1. Newark on Trent is seven miles to
the south and Retford is 12 miles to the north. It was recorded in the Domesday Book and has many
old and interesting buildings, with 16 entries in the ‘Listed Buildings’ record.
Carlton Hall is a Grade 2* listed building and was built in 1765. There is a small village hall and a
public house, the Great Northern Inn, which is half a mile from the village centre.
The Primary School, Methodist Church, Health Centre/Pharmacy, library and shops can be found in
Sutton on Trent, one mile north. The local comprehensive school is in Tuxford, five miles north.
There is a regular bus service through the village, connecting Retford and Newark. The nearest
railway stations are in Newark, operating both locally and nationally. These can be reached by car in
ten minutes.
Nearest airports: Robin Hood Airport, Doncaster; East Midlands Airport.
There are milk and newspaper deliveries to the village.
The Church
St Mary’s church is Grade 2* listed. Built in 1851, it incorporates a 12th century south door dating from the
Chapel of Ease which originally stood on this site. The spire is a landmark seen from miles around and is
illuminated at night. There is a single bell, which is approximately 200 years old. In recent years, we have
converted the west door area to provide a toilet with access for disabled persons, sink units and storage
cupboards. The building is in a good state and all repairs recommended in our recent quinquennial inspection
have been completed.
The Churchyard
Is still in use for burials and is mown and maintained to the best of our ability. Visitors and relatives of the
deceased frequent our churchyard which also provides and quiet place to sit.
Church Organisation and Finance
8 members of the congregation are on the PCC.
22 names are on the Electoral Roll
A gift aid scheme is operated for both direct debit donations and gift aid envelopes in the weekly
collections.
We have always paid our Parish Share in full, except for withholding a (small) amount in 2012 as a
protest against an unreasonably long interregnum.
Attached is a resume of our position for the year 2013.
Charitable giving includes the RBL, Women’s World Day of Prayer, The Children’s Society, Marica
School, Notts Clergy Widows’ and Dependents’ fund and Beaumond House Hospice.
Worship
There is a service on each of the four Sundays in every month, providing a variety of worship,
average attendance being 12 adults and 2 under 16s.
First Sunday: 8.00am BCP Holy Communion; Second Sunday: 6.30pm BCP Evensong – Lay Reader
led: Third Sunday: 11.00am CW Holy Communion; Fourth Sunday: 11.00am Morning Worship –
Lay Reader led.
This monthly cycle of worship is intended to combine the best of the old and new traditions and
appears successfully to meet the needs of the parish.
Whenever there is a fifth Sunday, the whole group meets in one of the six churches and a group
choir takes part.
Special worship: We host Women’s World Day of Prayer annually, Mothering Sunday joint with
Sutton on Trent Church and Methodist Church (venue rotational), Harvest Festival, Patronal
Festival, Remembrance Service attended by Cubs and Scouts, Carols by Candlelight (first Friday in
Advent) incorporating recitations, carol singing, school children’s choir, and ad hoc adult choir and
seasonal refreshments served – usually attended by 100+, Children’s Nativity/ Christingle.
Church Life
Most events are social and fundraising, e.g. Annual garden fete, raffles, tombolas, dramatic
entertainments. In other venues: quizzes, musical evenings, beetle drive.
The church is cleaned and flowers provided voluntarily on a rota basis.
OSSINGTON Overview of Church The classical church was commissioned from Carr of York by the Denison family and built in 1782-5. It stands near the village of Ossington in a wooded churchyard watched over by a C17 sundial which was previously in the garden of nearby Ossington Hall, now demolished. The interior has fine memorial carvings to earlier owners of the Ossington estate. There are two organs, one conventional and the second a rare Grade 1 barrel organ dating from 1836, both regularly used in services. There is a notable peal of bells which is rung by a village team under the captaincy of Robert Wilson of Home Farm, and by visiting teams from across the country. The church is in good condition and the recent quinquennial inspection showed some minor repairs to be necessary, but no major problems
Overview of Worship There is Communion at 10.30 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month alternating B.C.P. and Common Worship. The Annual Harvest Festival, Carol Service of lessons and carols and Easter Eucharist clearly resonate strongly with the community and attract a congregation big enough to fill the church. Fortnightly Communion is well supported by some 20% of residents of the village, though this is usually less than 20 people.
Occasional Offices
2013
2014
2015 to end of Nov
Baptism 0 0 1
Wedding 0 0 1
Funeral 1 1( to end July) 1
Parish Finance Holy Rood has a good reserve representing several years’ parish share, which is always paid in full. The Patron, Georgina Denison, supports the church financially in a number of ways.
The Village and Community Ossington is a small agricultural village of some twenty cottages and houses and ten farms with a population of less than 100 of mixed age groups. The children attend Norwell primary school and later secondary schools in Southwell and Tuxford. There is a well equipped village hall, The Hut, which is the base for a number of village groups. A Monday luncheon club gives a light meal to residents and visitors, the Ossington Ladies’ Group meets there as does an Art Group which holds occasional exhibitions. The Harvest Supper in the Hut is always well attended and the facility is available for private hire. Nearest shops are in Norwell, where there is a Post Office facility on Monday and Thursday mornings and Sutton where the Post Office opens in the shop on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings. A very popular annual Garden Party is held in the garden of Ossington House which raises several hundred pounds for the benefit of the church.
Strengths Weaknesses
Well supported and highly valued by the
community
Congregation small in number
Well attended seasonal services Congregation is of older/retired age groups
Generously supported by Patron
Important and beautiful church interior No water in church, which is isolated