A PARISH PROFILE FOR THE WEST TRENT GROUP OF PARISHES

A PARISH PROFILE
FOR
THE WEST TRENT GROUP OF PARISHES
Thurgarton with Hoveringham
and Bleasby with Halloughton
Rolleston with Fiskerton, Morton and Upton
Within the Deanery of Newark & Southwell
In the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham
INTRODUCTION
The seven parishes that form the Tons and Trent Groups within the Newark and Southwell Deanery cover
a rural area of South Nottinghamshire bordered by the RiverTrent to the South East, the parishes of
Southwell to the North West, parishes from the Nottingham Deanery to the South West, and the parishes
of Kelham and Averham to the North East. There are road and rail links with Nottingham and Newark, and
some bus services. There is some local employment within the villages, but most people commute to
work. Despite the rural location, there are very few farms. Total population is around 3000, (nearly 60%
aged above 40), of whom approximately 200 are on the church electoral rolls. Across the group 80% of
the Parish Share is paid, and successful funding campaigns have been held. It is the intention of the group
that the successful applicant would have appropriate administrative support as required.
The church buildings vary widely in style and age, but are in good condition. Four of the churches now
have integral toilet and kitchen facilities, and three have excellent facilities in nearby village halls. There is
potential for more and varied use of the churches now that these facilities are available. Local patterns of
worship have developed that try to meet the needs of the congregations, and it is encouraging that family
services are well attended. There is close co-operation between the Parish Church and the Methodist
Church in Thurgarton, with regular shared services. Three of the churches have active bell-ringing bands
with good bells.
Primary school education is provided by the Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in
Bleasby, and Anglican and Methodist schools in Southwell. Secondary education is provided by the Church
of England Voluntary Aided Minster School in Southwell for six of the parishes. Hoveringham children
mostly attend the Colonel Frank Seeley School in Calverton , but some attend the Minster School. Other
children attend private schools.
The parishes are well served by several pubs, which provide good meeting and social space, and there is
much social activity centring round the village halls. There is a full range of village activities ranging from
WIs to cricket. All the parishes enjoy good relations with their local Parish Councils. Currently, only one
village now has a post office and shop.
The PCCs started to work together in 2010, and there is now a well-established forum for regular meetings with the incumbent, the Churchwardens, and the Readers. A review of the seven parishes was carried out last summer. It put into perspective the aspirations and relationships within the parishes. There is
a growing understanding that in order to move forward, there will need to be changes. Meeting the challenges facing this group of parishes, whilst respecting their individuality, will only be achieved with tolerance, forbearance, and faith.
It is recognised that there is an urgent need to encourage and enable younger people in their Christian
faith, particularly within the group. The future of the rural church is much more in the hands of the laity,
and there is evidence that the group is willing and able to accept this responsibility, and work constructively and supportively with a new incumbent. There will be many challenges ahead, for both the new incumbent and the parishes.
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
A priest who will engage with the group, and will draw everyone closer together, and
who has an enduring and positive outlook combined with a good sense of humour:

who is able to work strategically, and has a clear vision of the task designated
by the Diocese.

who has significant experience and understanding of rural ministry, and has a
track record of effectiveness in it.

who is able to collaborate and delegate appropriately – and who will work
with and value the support and contribution of the Readers.

who will be a visible and effective leader, who will broaden the appeal of the
churches, and take an active part in the life of the villages.

who with energy and stamina will inspire and train the laity to develop their
involvement within the community.

who is prayerful, sensitive, spiritual, diplomatic and practical, and for whom
the Eucharist plays a central part in their ministry.

who can manage tricky situations with skill, and who is able to make difficult
decisions.

who will be active in supporting the local Primary school, and promoting links
between church and school.

Car driver and IT ability essential.
The Parish Church of St Mary’s, Bleasby
The parish, which is made up of three distinct settlements, Bleasby, Goverton and Gibsmere, is best described as
rural, and the population mostly in employment or retired. The total population, approximately 800, is fairly evenly
spread across age groups. There has been continuous and fairly recent growth, but further new development is
unlikely. Most homes are owner occupied although there are a few council owned bungalows and houses. There
are still working farms within the village boundaries and a few small businesses. Approximately 1/3 of families are
long established (over 25 years), 1/3 have lived here for ten years or more and 1/3 are relatively recent. There is a
slow but steady turnover of houses. Residents commute to Nottingham, Newark and as far as London on a daily
basis. East Midlands Trains provide a regular commuter service north to Newark and Lincoln, and south to
Nottingham, where there are good connections further afield by both train and bus. The East Coast Line is
accessible at Newark (8 miles distant) which enables daily commuting to London or the North East. East Midlands
Airport is within easy reach. There is an infrequent local bus service.
The church is situated at the picturesque heart of the village, in the Conservation Area, and boasts many fine trees
within the churchyard. The history of the church is described in booklets prepared by the Local History Society. For
the last 3 years Bleasby has been part of a group of seven churches in the Trent Valley: formerly we were part of a
group of four churches but joined a neighbouring group of three for the previous appointment. We have
established a pattern of services designed to meet the needs of different members of our congregation but we have
not been successful in fulfilling the potential for growth by reaching out to others on the fringe of the church and
beyond. Currently the service pattern is: 1st Sunday – Morning Service at 10.30 a.m., 2nd Sunday – Holy Communion
at 10.30 a.m., 3rd Sunday – Benefice Holy Communion at one or other of the churches in the group; 4 th Sunday –
Holy Communion at 9 a.m. either here or at Halloughton. There are four readers who lead or support services
within the group and we have occasional assistance from retired clergy. Nevertheless we realise that a future
incumbent will want to look again at the current arrangements. We are open to carefully considered change.
There are 40 people on the Electoral Roll, but very few attend the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Our average
congregation is around 15, but there is considerable variation. In spite of our efforts over the last few years, our
once flourishing Family Service has been dropped as we rarely have any children in church on a Sunday. As a
consequence the average age of worshippers is now 70+, so we are particularly keen to revive church-going
amongst young families. We have a good working relationship with the Church of England Village School. The whole
school regularly holds festival celebrations and end of term services in church. We have worked with the head
teacher to achieve a balance of secular and religious elements and encourage the involvement of children in both.
There is further to go in involving children in using the church and its resources as part of the curriculum. Following
his appointment as chaplain to the Minster School, Fr. Matthew Askey has visited the school several times. He has
agreed to lead their harvest celebrations in church this autumn and we are encouraging this link.
We have developed a small team of pastoral visitors. Members of the team telephone or visit people in their own
homes or arrange to meet on neutral territory. We try to keep an eye on the lonely, the sick, the housebound and
the vulnerable and offer our friendship to anyone in need. Members of the team visit Hazelford, a residential home
within the parish, although religious services are held there by visiting leaders from Anglican and Methodist
Churches in Southwell. We recognise that the needs of the parish should be regularly assessed to establish where
there are opportunities for action by the church.
St Mary’s is the only place of worship within the village. A significant number of residents worship elsewhere, most
attending churches in Southwell, including Southwell Minster and Holy Trinity Anglican Churches, and also the
Methodist, Roman Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The Trent Churches Choir contributes to worship at festivals
and weddings, and performs at occasional concerts. The PCC is efficient, works hard to fulfil its role and is open to
innovation. Churchwardens work well together and with others in the Trent Group. The Church holds regular social
events, mostly at festivals, and these are supported well by the parish as a whole. Likewise the church is wellsupported financially by the wider community. This enables us to reach realistic targets in funding programmes so
that we are able to provide for the church's ministry and pay our Parish Share in full. We are coming to the end of
the cycle of our funding programme and will need to embark on another programme in 2015. Much of the upkeep
of the building and churchyard is met from charitable bequests. Currently work is taking place to refurbish the
lychgate and repair sections of the church roof. We have recently installed a servery and fully accessible toilet
facilities. At the same time we opened up an area by removing pews in the side aisle. This has enabled us to meet
socially usually after services and to offer refreshments after concerts and other functions held in church. There
have been several recent exhibitions in church when we have liaised with village organisations especially the Local
History Society. The WWI weekend held in July was a particular success.
The village is served by an outstanding and popular Church of England Primary School, with a before and after school
club. The school is well supported by parents and to a lesser extent by the wider community. The village is in the
Southwell Minster School catchment area. We recently lost our Post Office, and the shop, although still operating, is
currently for sale as residential premises. This will be a blow to those in the village, who rely on the shop for daily
papers and social contact. The popular village pub is situated near to the church, and looks out over the historic
Glebe Field, recently purchased by the Parish Council for the use of parishioners. The Jubilee Ponds, purchased by
the Parish Council in 1977, are former gravel pits now managed as an area for quiet recreation. This area of
significant natural beauty is carefully maintained by a small team of volunteers. The Parish Council has contributed
strongly to village life in the past and continues to do so. It has steered several significant projects through to
fruition, and it maintains good links with District and County Councillors, and groups and organisations within the
village, including the Church.
In common with other similar communities many people have busy lives, but volunteers can usually be found to lead
village activities and organisations. There are many organisations within the village offering a wide range of cultural,
educational, sporting and other leisure activities, including a lunch club for retired residents which meets weekly at
the Tea Shoppe at Manor Farm. The Tea Shoppe is a busy establishment and has become a popular destination for
visitors from the local community and much further afield. Most organisations meet in our own village hall, which is
well-run by volunteers, and is in regular use. Notable amongst these organisations are the W.I., the Local History
Society and a thriving art group. The interests and needs of adult members of the community are therefore catered
for quite well. Youngsters can, and do, use the school field, which has seen a considerable up-grade this year, for
recreation purposes out of school hours, but for organised sports, uniformed organisations and other activities they
must go to Southwell or further afield.
People who move into Bleasby are always impressed by the friendliness of their neighbours. As the Church we
welcome new arrivals with an information pack prepared in co-operation with the Parish Council. We are aware of
the need to be an important part of the community on a day-to-day basis, not just on moving day, and look for ways
to achieve this aim.
The Parish Church of St James, Halloughton
Halloughton is a small parish consisting of three farms and some thirty houses, but there is no pub, village hall or
other meeting place. It is situated one and a half miles south west of Southwell bordered by the parishes of Bleasby,
Thurgarton and Southwell Holy Trinity.
The church has a regular pattern of services with Evensong on the second Sunday in the month and 9am Book of
Common Prayer communion on the alternate fourth Sundays. There is no service on the 1 st and 3rd Sunday and the
parish combines with the Trent group of churches in sharing a rota for a fifth Sunday service where applicable. In
keeping with country tradition, a Plough Sunday service is held in January, where the plough is brought into church
for blessing, a Harvest Evensong in October and a Carol Service just before Christmas. These draw the best
congregations, but otherwise numbers at the regular services have dwindled to the faithful few.
The villagers are very keen however to retrain the church as a village focal point and for quiet contemplation, but do
not wish to commit themselves to regular worship. The visitors’ book in church is evidence of people coming in for
quiet contemplation and appreciation that the church is left unlocked.
The Parish Church of St Denis, Morton
St Denis was built in c.1756.For many years until recently it was in good repair .The last 12 months have seen
unanticipated expenditure due to water ingress creating a significant electrical problem .In addition the recent
quinquennial review identified problems with the roof ,expenditure to cover this will have to come from reserves .
A Promised Giving Campaign was to be launched this last summer but was postponed until a new vicar was
appointed due to the recognised difficulties with the previous incumbent.Last year saw a reduction in income of
£1142.This years Parish Share saw an increase of 23%,an increase from £10800 to £13469 .This cannot be met and it
will be the first occasion for many years that the full share has not been paid .It is intended to pay the same figure as
last year with an intention to review this decision later in the year .
The near proximity of the Minster means that many members of the congregation attend services there as well as
their own church .Fiskerton and Morton are commuter villages with children attending the Church of England
Controlled Primary School in Bleasby or the Minster School in Southwell .Many of these families will attend Holy
Trinity Church in Southwell .Once a month for several months in a year a Quiet Hour takes place on a Monday
afternoon in St Denis .This is organised by some members of the congregation and attended by other members of
churches in the Benefice .
The Parish Church of Holy Trinity, Rolleston with Fiskerton
Rolleston village
Parish: Holy Trinity, Rolleston with Fiskerton
Patron: The Lord Chancellor
Population: Rolleston approximately 130 households
Electoral Roll number 25
Deanery: Newark & Southwell
Description of Parish
The parish is that of Rolleston with Fiskerton, but since the civil parish of the adjoining village is Fiskerton-cumMorton, most residents of Fiskerton regard Morton as their parish church and make financial contributions to that
church. The responses below, therefore, apply to the village of Rolleston only.
Geography –
a)
Location - The parish is four miles south east of the Minster Town of Southwell in the Province of York.
b)
Social Mix – There is very little employment in the village now with housing ranging from social housing
owned by the County and District Authorities to executive homes. Rates of home ownership are significantly
higher than the England average with only 5% of the property rented. Most residents could be said to be
middle class with families moving into the village to take advantage of it’s rural location, low crime rate and
school catchment.
About 50% of the adult population are retired and many of working age are professional or self-employed.
There is little unemployment in the village.
c)
Farms – The village had a strong agricultural past when it was used to re-settle returning soldiers into
farming on their return from the first world war but now there are only two working farms with most of the
arable land rented and other land used for equestrian purposes.
d)
Shops and Commerce – There are no shops in Rolleston, the nearest is the village shop and post office with
hairdresser in Fiskerton. There is one well used public house with restaurant. There is a small summer
weekend café. A fencing company operates near the church and a number of small businesses operate from
owners homes.
e)
Schools - There is no school in the parish. Most children travel to schools in Southwell.
f)
Doctors/Hospitals – Closest doctor’s surgery is Southwell. Newark has a small hospital. Nearest A & E
facilities are located in Mansfield or Nottingham.
g)
Social Organisations – The Woman’s Institute branch is combined with Fiskerton and Morton.
An indoor bowls group plays once a week with more than twenty members. Originally set up by the church,
a weekly coffee morning and once a month lunch club is open to everyone. Keep fit classes are also
regularly run. The Crown public house runs a number of activities for villagers including, darts, dominoes
and skittles teams. Southwell racecourse and golf club are both located in Rolleston parish. Residents
often look to Southwell for other social activities.
Community Facilities Village Hall – In 1977 a committee was formed for the purpose of managing the proposed village hall project and
the hall opened in 1980. This was funded by grants, fundraising and a short term loan. This loan was repaid using
the proceeds of sale of the church-owned old schoolhouse. In recognition the church is allowed to use the hall free
for six event days per year.
Approximately 10 years ago the old village hall was demolished and replace with a £400,000 new building funded
mainly from grants.
Education Facilities
As previously noted there are no schools in Rolleston.
Primary education is mainly provided by Lowes Wong and Holy Trinity schools in Southwell. Both are C of E
schools.
Secondary education is mainly provided by The Minster School, Southwell which has an excellent academic record.
Further education can be accessed in Nottingham, Mansfield, Newark and Lincoln with Brackenhurst Agriculture
School of Nottingham Trent University being located near to Southwell. The church has no links with those facilities
in the towns.
Local Authorities
Strong links are maintained by the church with Rolleston Parish Council and the local ward member on the District
Council. An arrangement exists where the Parish Council helps with the cost of cutting the churchyard grass.
The Church and Graveyard
Website
There is an extensive website at www.rollestonchurch.org.uk
The Church Building
The grade one listed church building is mainly Norman but with considerable later additions. It is the only church in
the parish and there are no other faith groups in the village.
It is in excellent condition and easily seats 90-100 within the Nave. The last Quinquennial survey in 2012 showed no
major problems to be addressed. Level access is a feature throughout. The pews within the nave were removed in
the early 1900’s and replaced with moveable wooden chairs. Further stackable plastic chairs are available for larger
gatherings. Thus this area of the church is very flexible in the way it can be used. A single manual pipe organ is
housed within the south aisle. A loop/sound system is fitted and is used in conjunction with a CD player for hymn
music when an organist is not available.
Recent improvements include:
The restoration and augmentation to a ring of six bells in a new metal frame in 2001.
A complete re-wire in 2003
The installation of a toilet, tea bar & mobile unit in 2013
A faculty for the reorganisation of the Chancel was issued in August 2014 and most of the work has been completed
with the rest ongoing.
Use of the building other than for worship:
The flexibility of the Nave has allowed that area to be used for Flower Festivals, Wedding Displays, Craft Fairs,
Concerts, Harvest Suppers and many similar activities which attract non-worshippers into the church building and
promoting it’s primary use particularly for weddings and baptisms.
Other visitors include walkers, bike riders, bell ringers, historians and archivists.
The building is not generally left unlocked due to the relative isolation of the entry but key holders are easily
accessible. The PCC is considering whether to open the church on summer weekends during daylight hours.
There is no church hall.
Graveyard
The graveyard is still open, although with limited space available. It is well maintained and regularly visited by
family members of those buried within. A well used public footpath crosses the churchyard.
Worship
Rolleston is traditionally Anglican but flexible to encompass different service styles. We mostly use the set liturgies
from Common Worship together with the hymnbook “Hymns Old and New”. Although we have varied service times
in the past the current preference and better attendance is at mid-morning Sunday services. We have not explored
the possibility of midweek services particularly and this may be something to consider in the future. The
congregation is mainly over 60 years of age even for all age worship, although younger persons do attend from time
to time and at special services. In particular, our Christmas Eve Carol Service attracts between 150 – 240 mostly
Rolleston resident families.
Normally only Holy Communion services are taken by the priest with the other services generally taken by one of
the readers and/or retired clergy.
A re-ordering the Chancel in accordance with a Faculty obtained last August, is nearly complete. Despite the
ongoing work, we have already held a couple of services in there to enjoy the more intimate feel of worshipping
together in a smaller area. This has generally been well received by our normal, smallish (10 -15), congregation.
Coffee is normally served following a service.
Weddings probably average about three per year but in some years there have been none. The PCC are happy to go
with the incumbent regarding marriage of divorcees, although they have usually been permitted in the past.
Baptisms vary in number but seem to have become more popular in the last year or two.
Few confirmation candidates have been seen over the last five years.
There are no other churches or faith groups in the village
The wider church
Most of our links are with the other six churches in the two joint benefices. Some of our young people may attend
the Minster or Holy Trinity in Southwell along with their school friends.
Trent churches choir with members from the seven churches is sometimes able to sing in Rolleston for special
services/occasions.
There is a band of bell ringers jointly with Upton.
We have an active representation on Deanery Synod
Finance
The most recent funding campaign was conducted in 2013. This resulted in a 50% increase in regular giving. It was
conducted by the PCC with some advice from the Diocesan advisor. Reserves are limited as a result of the
considerable improvements we have carried out to the church building in the last twelve years with much of the
money having to come from the activities of the support group “Friends of Holy Trinity”. Although unable to pay
our parish share in full for the last four years, we have made a substantial contribution to the set figure and always
paid in full prior to this. We anticipate paying 85% being £7,200 in 2014 in monthly instalments and will review the
shortfall when the end of year financial position is known.
During the last incumbency a part-time administrative assistant was employed and those costs, together with the
priest’s expenses, are shared across the seven churches. Our share has been about £1,500 p.a.
Strategy
We try to do ‘a lot with a little’ both in terms of finance and people resources. Regular building maintenance is
helping reduce the ongoing annual maintenance costs but other expenses rise across the board. Rolleston, being a
particularly ‘parochial’ settlement and our links with the wider community should show potential for growth. We
want to grow and would welcome an incumbent who can help us realise this ambition. Priorities are: keeping our
existing congregation and finding ways to welcome new people to church from families moving into the locality.
There is potential within the considerable number of people we see in church on Christmas Eve who we would like
to see at other times.
In the light of current needs and opportunities we wish to see a new incumbent who has existing rural ministry skills,
is visible, approachable and who can provide leadership in the development the laity within the role of the seven
churches.
The Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul’s, Upton
Upton is the most northerly village of the seven churches forming the West Trent Group and is situated two miles
from Southwell on the A612.
The church, which is a Grade 1 listed building, was consecrated in 1250 and stands in the centre of the village
overlooking the meadows stretching to the River Trent. The church is in good order and is open for private
meditation and visitors every day of the year. It has a bell Tower with six, recently upgraded bells.. The church has
wall paintings in the Chantry Chapel which are unique and possibly of great antiquity and are awaiting restoration.
Within the last five years new flooring and heating has been installed and we now have a toilet and tea bar. The
organ was refurbished last year, and the pipes gilded from donations from the village.
The village has a population of about 400, 26 are on the church’s electoral roll. Until recently this was a farming
village but now has become a more affluent society with most commuting to work, and a high percentage of
professional and retired people. Congregations are small but the community supports the church financially and
attendances are excellent for Christmas, Easter and Harvest services. We also keep alive the traditions of Rogation
Sunday, and the Patronal celebration in June We need a priest who would be involved in the social and pastoral life
of the village and who would recognise that we have many who are on the edge of the church and who yearn for
spiritual succour, who come to less formal services but are reluctant to attend more formal services. But we also find
that some come from neighbouring villages particularly for communion.
The Sunday services, attended by about a dozen, are traditional with one Eucharists a month, , and two more
relaxed Morning Praise service each month.and a monthly Tuesday morning communion We have a good, mutually
supportive relationship with the other parishes of the Group.. Regular Group Services are held. and recently we
have formed an ad hoc relationship with Hope Church who meet in the Village Hall each Sunday but come to our
church fairly regularly. We have members who sing with the Group’s Church Choir and a group of bell ringers who,
with Rolleston bell ringers, ring on alternate Sundays in one or the other of these churches.
We have been fortunate in the support given us by retired clergy living in the area, particularly Canon Bridget Smith
and we have an excellent Lay Reader in Dr. Jane Johnson who conducts services and oversees the pastoral care of
the parish. We also are fortunate in having a recently established group of children who meet once a month with
their parents for stories, craft work and prayer.. The P.C.C. has seven members and apart from management of the
church is involved with organising concerts in the church and community projects to draw local groups together.
The Village Hall, once the Parish Room, is the focus of village life and we make good use of it for church activities.
The Parish has a lively and energetic social life with a Co-operative which holds lunches and support meetings for the
elderly, a very professional entertainments’ programme, a W.I., art classes and an old established Cricket Club, a pub
but no shops or post office.
The finances of the church are on a sound footing and the quota is being met. The village is proud of its church and
we greatly value our caring and faithful congregation.
We would welcome a vicar with enthusiasm and energy, a good preacher to attract more people and one who
could understand the needs of a rural community, initiate new challenges, broaden the appeal of the church locally,
support and develop the skills of the church members and take an active part in village life.
The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels, Hoveringham
Village Amenities
The village amenities include St Michael’s Church, the recently modernised village hall — a centre for village
activities and other social events — the Reindeer Inn and the Hoveringham Cricket Club. Ferry Farm Park, a visitor
farm and restaurant, is near the river, as is the Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club, which hosts national sailing
competitions, sail training and sailing for the disabled. The village has a thriving Women’s Institute, a Vintage Vehicle
Society, a Gardening Club and a Horticultural Society, which hosts a spring and autumn show in the Village Hall. The
Village Hall is available for social functions.
St Michael and All Angels Church was built in 1875 to a design by Sir George Gilbert Scott (the architect of St Pancras
Station) on the foundations of the original 13th century church. The building is in a fairly good state of repair. Historic
features……….Saxon font. The organ is good, as are the acoustics of the building, although there is no system for
electronic voice amplification at present. A CD player with two speakers is on loan and can be used to play music to
accompany hymns when no organist is present.
Support
There are two churchwardens, one of whom also acts as treasurer to the PCC, which has seven members
plus honorary secretarial support. The church is much loved in the village and in the past parishioners have
responded generously to specific needs. As a member of the West Trent Churches, Hoveringham benefits
from the support of lay readers from other parishes in the Benefice and from the Trent Churches Choir,
which accompanies services on special occasions.
Services
Although the core congregation is small (average 6 to 12), more attend All Age Worship (up to 40) and
services on special occasions. ‘Hymns Old and New’ is used throughout the Benefice. The monthly pattern
of services is generally as follows:
First Sunday:
Second Sunday:
Third Sunday:
Fourth Sunday:
Fifth Sunday:
Evening Prayer at 6 pm (BCP)
Holy Communion at 9 am (Common Worship, contemporary language version)
Benefice service at 10:30 am, hosted twice a year at Hoveringham but elsewhere on
third Sundays in other months
All Age Worship at 10:30 am.
Special service at one or more churches in the Benefice, occasionally hosted at
Hoveringham
The church is popular for weddings and baptisms where associated social gatherings are held in the
modernised village hall, which is adjacent.
The Parish Church of St Peter’s, Thurgarton
The historic village of Thurgarton was granted by William the Conqueror to the
d’Ayncourt family, who founded the Augustinian Priory of St Peter in the 1130s. The
result was a set of priory buildings alongside a truly impressive church, rivalling
Southwell Minster in size and magnificence. The spiritual reputation of the priory
reached its zenith in the latter half of the 14th century with the writings of Walter
Hilton, a canon of Thurgarton and author of The Scale of Perfection. Much of the
priory was dismantled following the dissolution, but a handsome bell tower, parts
of the west front, and six of the original piers survive in the present parish church,
restored in 1854.
Location and character
Thurgarton lies on the A612 about 3 miles south of Southwell, and is now a village
of approximately 170 households, with a population of 450. Almost the entire
village is designated as a conservation area, and includes at least ten listed
buildings. The village is located in a largely rural setting, although agriculture is no
longer a significant source of employment, and most of the working population commutes to work.
Facilities
Thurgarton community website provides a snapshot of village activities www.thurgarton.org.uk/ A free village
magazine, Thurgarton People, is distributed bimonthly to everyone in the parish, and includes details of church
activities. The village hall hosts regular activities, and Thurgarton has a thriving cricket club with one of the most
attractive village grounds in the county. There is one public house and restaurant, the Red Lion. A regular bus service
from Nottingham to Southwell stops in Thurgarton, as do trains on the Nottingham-Lincoln line.
Schools
Most children attend Bleasby C of E Primary School, and the Minster School Southwell.
Worship
St Peter’s and Thurgarton Methodist Church congregations join for worship in the village. The regular pattern of
monthly worship at Thurgarton is:
:
1st Sunday
10:30
Family Service at St Peter’s Church
2nd Sunday
10:30
Holy Communion at St Peter’s Church
rd
3 Sunday
10:30
Morning Service at Methodist Church / Combined
Benefice Holy
Communion (rotating venue)
4th Sunday 10:30
Morning Prayer at Methodist Church
5th Sunday 10:30
Informal service (e.g. Coffee Church; Songs of Praise)
The size of the regular congregation is between 14 and 20, with family services the best attended. Christmas services
attract 120-140 worshippers.
Finance
Thurgarton is holding its five-yearly Promise Programme in autumn 2014. In 2013 the parish share was £13304, of
which Thurgarton was able to pay £7700. The parish share for 2014 was reallocated amongst the 7 villages in our
group by the Benefice Treasurers Group to reflect ability to pay more realistically. We anticipate that the Thurgarton
allocation of £8,232 will be paid in full by the end of 2014.
Church activities
St Peter’s church is the historic and spiritual centre of this ancient village. During 2014 disabled toilet and
refreshment facilities were installed in the church to ensure that this beautiful building can be used more extensively
by the community. Many visitors from outside the village remark on the tranquillity of our church and its
surroundings.
Christingle service. This popular service is held annually at St Peter’s, attended by 80-100 children and adults, raising
money for the Children’s Society.
Choir concert. The West Trent Churches Choir performs concerts in St Peter’s church, most recently Stainer’s
Crucifixion during 2014.
Bellringing Thurgarton has a ring of 6 bells, 3 installed by public donation within the last 15 years. Bellringers
meet weekly, and ring for special services, weddings and funerals. The tower is popular with visiting ringers.
The Big Draw St Peter’s church is a popular local venue for this annual countrywide event encouraging children
and adults to pick up a pencil and draw.
Church Open Days St Peter’s church was open to visitors as part of an annual countywide open churches initiative
to encourage interest in our historic church buildings, and also takes part in the Nottinghamshire Historic
Churches Trust Ride and Stride fundraising.
Village Ventures St Peter’s Church has hosted concerts and poetry readings performed as part of the Village
Ventures initiative.
History Societies The historic significance of Thurgarton Priory attracts history societies to the church for guided
tours.
Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project The entry for Thurgarton St Peter’s is available at http://
southwellchurches.nottingham.ac.uk/