Camber with

Camber is a small holiday village lying on the western edge of the Romney Marsh between Rye and Lydd on the coast road. In more recent years Camber has grown from a small coastal village to an all year round holiday destination due to its award-winning sandy beach and dunes. Pontin’s holiday camp was built in the late sixties to cater for Camber's growing holiday trade. Over the years Parkdean Resort Caravan Park has evolved also catering for holiday makers and holiday home owners. The service industry has had to improve in order to deal with the increased tourism trade. In recent years a new private housing development has been added to the village, the majority of houses are weekend homes. Traditionally Camber was a resort for South Londoners but we now see a wider base of visitors including many from continental Europe. There is extensive marsh farmland in the area and some light industry locally. Tourism provides some work in the village itself. There are primary and secondary schools three miles away in Rye and the surrounding area, allocated buses take pupils to the Primary School from Camber and back again at the end of the school day. There are bus links to Rye and to the west and to Lydd and Dover to the east. The railway station in Rye provides connections to Hastings, , Gatwick Airport, Ashford and (London St Pancras 38 minutes). Rye is a 10 minute drive away by car.

Parish Church of St THOMAS the APOSTLE, CAMBER Like many seaside neighbourhoods, Camber is very dependent on seasonal work, and suffers from some socio-economic deprivation. The local residents are working people and retirees. The village is a ribbon development and includes a private estate of low cost affordable housing, a small estate of social housing and a recently built estate of more expensive homes, Whitesands, mostly used by week-enders or for holidays. There are permanent residents from Whitesands in our regular congregation. There are several shops, three pubs and soon to be a Post Office within the village. The village population is about 1500, which includes many young families, but in the height of the season, Pontin’s Holiday Resort accommodates up to 3000 and Parkdean Resorts , caravans and static homes another 3000 people. Added to that, day visitors, mainly from South East London can produce up to 25,000 people on the beach on a hot summer’s day!

St Thomas’ is at the western end of the village and was consecrated in 1956. It was built following the destruction of the former church by a flying bomb in 1944.The building is constructed of brick with a tile roof with a small bell and clock tower that is clad in timber. The interior is simple white-painted and timbered, and is furnished with chairs rather than pews. It is warm and very welcoming with a good porch area. There is a small vestry. The main body of the Church can seat 80 plus another 20 in the gallery. There is a good Wyvern electronic organ and Yamaha Clavinova, a speaker system with a TV monitor allowing us to have musical accompaniment to our hymns when there is no organist to play during our worship. There is an audio loop. The Church is usually open by day to the public with no recent history of any security issues. The Church has no burial ground; however there is a small Garden of Remembrance.

The Church Hall The Thomas Longley Hall, built in 1996, is adjacent and connected internally to the Church. It was redecorated in 2018. The Hall is large and well maintained, with well-appointed toilet facilities; a fully equipped kitchen meets with required hygiene standards enabling an accredited pre-school to run on the premises. There is a Print Room. The Hall has become very much part of the wider community, edges have become blurred, and the facility stops us being just ‘a Sunday Church’. By having the Hall the Church can be a real presence in many people’s lives, a friendly place, with much coming and going, a familiar place that is joined to a Church. There are 52 people on the Electoral Roll. Our services average 24 adults, though this can increase markedly with holiday-makers, we are pleased when the holiday makers bring their children with them often returning each year.

Strong links have been developed with the community over the years and we seek ways to reinforce them at every opportunity. A team of Street and Prayer Pastors based in Rye was set up in April 2015. Their training sessions take place in the Tom Longley Hall. The Street Pastors are out as a team in Camber every two weeks on a Friday evening going out from the Tom Longley Hall, the Prayer Pastors who are praying for the time that the Street Pastors are working out on the streets will remain in the Hall. The coordinator of the Street Pastors is a member of our church and one member of the congregation is also a street and prayer pastor. Street Pastors are backed by Churches Together in Rye and so relationships between the Rye and area Churches is strengthened. We are an active Church, realising that through special services and different events and social occasions in our Hall and out in the Parish we are reaching out into the community and drawing others in. We contribute church news each month in the Camber Community Newsletter which is delivered to all house- holds in the village. This makes sure that all villagers are informed about our church and what is happening in it. Annually we hold our Parish Harvest Supper, followed by an auction of produce. It is always a great success, and raises funds for those in need. We support three Filippino children who are part of a feeding and education program run by Biga Church, near Manila. This program additionally prevents vulnerable hungry children from being recruited into ISIS. We have direct contact with this church through two of our own church members who are actively involved in Biga Church, visiting annually. We have a home Bible study group meeting fortnightly. There is a small team of flower arrangers. The local preschool group (Flip Flops) accredited with OFSTED meets in the Thomas Longley Hall most weekdays’ day during term time. It is very heartening during the week to hear the sound of children having fun around our church grounds. There are opportunities during the year to speak to the children at special times such as Easter, All Saints, (what Halloween is really about) and Christmas. The Church has from time to time provided financial support to the group. There is a local dance school holding classes in the hall three evenings a week.

Sunday Services are held weekly at 10.30 am with Parish Communion (Common Worship Order 1). On the 3rd Sunday monthly there is a Family Service with Holy Communion. Our churchmanship could be described as ‘open and broad church.’ We endeavour to be inclusive and aware of regular visitors, some of whom come year after year when they are on holiday. We are a community church as there are no other churches in the village. Baptisms are held during the Family Service when requested. There are also occasional weddings. Funeral services are often requested by families who do not have any contact with us. Confirmation services have been held regularly. In 2018 one parishioner was confirmed. We also hold special services at Christmas and Easter.

The PCC meets as required. There are 13 members. The PCC includes a representative from the pre-school. There are two Churchwardens, one of whom is the PCC Secretary and a Treasurer. The Church is most fortunate to be endowed by a trust fund which provides for the upkeep of the church fabric. The fund is administered by a group of four Trustees from the Church (the Church- wardens, two members of the PCC) and our Treasurer who is a partner in a local accounting practice. Both the Church and the Trust Fund produce annual accounts.

Church of St Mary’s, East Guldeford East Guldeford, population around 65, is a small village on the edge of Walland Marsh, two miles from Camber and one mile out of Rye, consisting mainly of sheep pasture and arable land belonging to some nine farming families. In 2012 St. Mary’s, East Guldeford became a Chapel of Ease in the new parish of Camber with East Guldeford. Across the road at Salts Farm Shop a group of retired locals meet for coffee on Wednesday mornings at 11am. Apart from the church, this is the only communal space and has proved valuable for company and communica- tion, since the busy A259 is loaded with fast traffic and there are no footpaths, making walking and cycling hazardous. Also in the farmyard are a café/eatery and a garden centre, plus offices and small businesses and the office of the Walland Marsh Internal Drainage Board, where local farmers meet regularly. A Book Club and a Needlecraft group are held at each end of the month on a Thursday. The yard also hosts Boules contests in the summer. There is an hourly return bus service from Lydd Camp via Camber and East Guldeford to Rye Station. The population of East Guldeford is approximately sixty persons, of whom seven are over 75, a few under 25, and the rest mostly 40-75. Formerly the inhabitants were all from sheep farming families (Romney breed) but now several couples from elsewhere have moved in to take their places, bringing different lifestyles and fresh ideas. There is no racial, and very little religious, diversity. A Service of Holy Communion is held at 9.15am on the first Sunday of the month from April to October, to fit in with the later service at Camber. Following the Christmas Carol Service, the church is closed during January, February and March due to soggy ground/weather conditions. The congregation at present comprises of 8-11 worshippers, plus three moderately quiet terriers.

An annual summer garden party and barbeque is held in the churchyard and is well supported by parishioners. We have also had concerts in the church – the acoustics are excellent. Plans have included opening-up the church, which is a welcoming space, for more village gatherings, concerts, flower festivals, walking parties etc., but at present the extra energy and man/woman power is lacking and the farmers are stretched. However, we do receive a great number of passing visitors, and some bus tours, who include St. Mary’s on their Marsh Churches route. Very recently an excellent guidebook has been written by a parishioner and is available with cards for visitors. Another leaflet on local Marsh walks is also planned.

St. Mary’s is a statuesque early 16th century church which sits, barn-like amidst sheep pasture. There is a hundred yard walk through the field to the church from the busy A259 to Ashford and the Channel ports, but no special provision for cars. Parking in the same field is allowed by kind permission of the landowner. The church has no electricity or water supply and no facilities or other buildings. The heating is well served by four gas heaters. At Christmas it is lit to great effect with candles. The Church is the only ‘Marsh‘ Church located in East . St. Mary's has been fortunate in attracting grants from the Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust and the Sussex Historic Churches Trust. Following repair of the rainwater goods, and large scale renovation of exterior walls and replacement of special Tudor sized bricks during the past two years there were no major works contemplated for a long time until the rendering to the south wall suffered in the 2013/14 rains. The work was completed in summer 2014 and funded by Romney Marsh Historic Churches Trust. Iden

Iden is a very attractive Domesday village, situated about 2 miles from Rye in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It has a well-defined centre with the Parish Church, and very fortunate to have the village shop and post office, the village pub, the village hall, an extensive playing field at the Church entrance and a bowling green all located close together. A bus service from Rye to Tenterden calls at Iden. Iden has a mix of housing; in addition to the older houses of the village, many of which are Grade 2 listed. There are two small ‘estates’, one of older cottages, mostly social housing, and a newer development of more modern dwellings, mostly privately owned. In all there are some 250 dwellings. Only 4 new houses have been built in the past 25 years but there is now the possibility of a further 12 dwellings in coming months. The outlying area is given over in the main to sheep-farming, apple Iden Stores & Post Office orchards and various other field crops. There is a light industrial unit at the former apple packing station and one significant commercial business. Iden with a population of around 450, is a very active village, with a variety of clubs and societies. In recent years, the village’s demography has changed as new people have moved here to replace the older generation who had lived here most of their lives. The village has in part become a magnet for the retired, particularly because of its facilities and this has meant property prices are relatively high, but in recent months we have seen an influx of families with young children. There are several holiday homes and properties for holiday rental. The village is also one with an established cultural tradition, with many artists, such as Paul Nash, once a resident and presently a well-known Royal Academician. This heritage extends to the Church. All Saints Church The Church, which is Grade 1 listed, dates from the early 12th century with additions from the 15th It also underwent much refurbishing and renovation in the late fifties. With additional chairs in the north nave and the Lady Chapel the Church can accommodate some 120 people. The Church is occasionally used for concerts and until 2018 was a regular venue during the annual Rye Arts Festival. Church Fabric Thanks to substantial renovation work in the 1950s the Church is in a sound condition. The building has been reduced in size over the years and, although now relatively small, is spacious and intimate. Since 2010 new windows have been fitted in the Lady Chapel, the vestry roof has been re-tiled and the Church tower re-pointed, in addition to the replacement of ancient glass in the Belfry. In all some £100,000 has been invested in these improvements, mainly funded by the Friends, grants and donations. The Church houses a few significant and ancient works of art ( part of the Lord Conway collection) together with a large Feibusch mural which was painted in situ and exhibited at the 1951 Festival of Britain. These treasures are just a part of the amazing history of the Church and the various incumbents, a few of whom had eccentric lives. It is of considerable pride that Iden Church is not only in good condition but that is has been endowed with a building that is warm, welcoming and historically interesting. There are also six bells which are usually rung on the first Sunday of the month and if a team is available also on Christmas Day and Easter Day. Our Church Community All Saints Church shares its Vicar with St Michael’s Playden. The two Churches have separate traditions and share services for services such as Ash Wednesday and those in Holy Week. Normally, the weekly Parish Communion Service is at 9.30, using Common Worship Order One. The congregation averages 20-25. There is a Family Communion Service on the first Sunday of the month, when the congregation is usually larger and there are children who attend this service where a talk, rather than a sermon, sometimes given by a layperson. Following this service coffee is enjoyed in the Old Hall. The Church does, however, enjoy much larger congregations at Christmas and Easter and at some other celebrations such as Mothering Sunday and Harvest Festival. There are 43 residents on the Church Electoral Roll, and a further 11 non-residents. A bible study group meets once a fortnight, lent study lunches are held annually and a group of about eight members are formed into a prayer chain. The church hosts a children’s party, one on the first Saturday of Advent when decorations are made for the Church tree and the second at Easter when there is an Easter egg hunt. Music The Church has a small two-manual organ and the wife of one of the Churchwardens, a professional musician, plays at services. She also arranges a twice monthly hymn singalongs in the Old Hall, which is attended by up to 20 people, some of whom are non-Churchgoers. Church Rooms- a separate charity – now known as the Old Hall. There is a separate building - the former village hall and originally the blacksmiths – at the entrance to the Church and outside its curtilage. It was left to the Parish to be held in Trust by the Diocese in 1922 to enable income to be generated for the Church. During the past 10 years substantial money has been expended on renovating the previously dilapidated and condemned building, which is now used as a large meeting room, with toilet facilities and has an attached space let as a commercial office- this provides sufficient income to maintain the entire building. The Trustees are the Incumbent and the two duly elected Churchwardens. A weekly baby and toddler group meets in the hall during term time. This facility has made a tremendous differ- ence to Church life and its ability to interact with the Church Entrance drive- Old Hall on the right community Finance The financial situation is generally sound and running costs are relatively low. There are several covenanted donations via Gift Aid, but the donors are elderly and income from this source is gradually declining. We have managed to pay our agreed Parish Share but because of our circumstances, this has been reduced in recent years. Volunteers There is a willing team of cleaners, flower arrangers etc, not all of whom are regular members of the congregation. The Parochial Church Council consists of six elected members in addition to the two Churchwardens and the Secretary. Churchyard This was closed in the 1970s and is administered by Iden Parish Council. There is a more recent consecrated burial ground adjoining the playing field which is likewise administered by the Parish Council. Ashes have been interred with memorial plaques along the south side of the Church, but this is no longer permitted. Friends of Iden Church The Friends have organised many fund-raising events to help maintain the fabric of the Church. Since its inception in 1999 it has raised over £120,000 for Church renovations and improvement. Present situation During the past 12 years the Church has shared a House for Duty Vicar with Playden. We have been at a disadvantage as despite being the larger community, the Vicarage is in Playden and having the earlier service has meant the Vicar has not been able to socialise fully with the congregation. The Parish is now reliant upon 4-5 dedicated people to keep the Church and Old Hall open and attend to administrative duties and a retired female priest to conduct services. With the shortage of retired clergy locally, the consequence of all this is that Iden is now only able to have 2 services a month which would have happened despite COVID In summary, All Saints Church Iden and the village community have been suffering by not having regular ministry over recent times. Iden Church has an immensely proud and distinguished history, and its congregation has worked hard to ensure its sound maintenance and to encourage the ministry and meet its financial obligations to the Diocese.

We hope any applicant will see this as a challenge which is worth the effort to return Iden Church to how a village Church should truly be. Playden

About The Parish Playden consists of Ecclesiastical and Civil parishes in the of , and is located one mile north of Rye, on the east side of the A268 London Road. There has been a settlement in Playden since the Neolithic Age 4,000 years ago, and Playden, or Saltcote as it was once known, is mentioned in the Domesday Book as “Pleidena”. Many years ago the village had a thriving fish salting industry, and New Lane, formerly Saltcote Street, which survives to this day as a peaceful little lane, was the track which led down to the sea. The cliff which used to be at the water's edge in Playden - Houghton Green Cliff - is today a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with an exposed cliff face displaying sandstones of geological interest.

Present day Playden covers approximately 1307 acres (523 hectares), and is partly a suburb of Rye at the south, and mainly rural elsewhere, with sheep grazing in the parts of the Parish which lie within Romney Marsh. The is smaller than the Ecclesiastical, and excludes some areas which transferred to Rye in 1934.

Facts and Figures The population of the Civil parish was estimated as 315 in 2018, with the Ecclesiastical parish having a population of approximately 455. Social Groups: Published census data in 2011 indicated 339 white: 1 mixed/ multiple and 218 Christian: 1 Jewish: 86 no religion. Age profile in 2018 59% 50-79 years. Housing mix approximately six Housing Association, remainder private sector owner occupied: private rented or second home (proportions not known). Employment in the parish includes the Environment Agency depot (land drainage and sea defences), agriculture (mostly non-resident), hospitality (Playden Oasts Inn, Saltcote Place wedding venue, B&B establishments) St Michael’s Primary School and Playden Church of England Primary School.

Playden CE Primary School There are strong links with St Michael’s Church of England Primary School, which also serves Iden and , and following the re-establishment of a Full Governing Board, the Team Vicar of Playden/Iden will be a Foundation Governor. In addition, the Playden/Iden Team Vicar has continued to help in the Religious aspects of the school, and the school has an Easter service and a Leavers service at Playden Church, plus a Christmas Nativity service at Iden Church.

Butt Field charity The Team Rector is Chairman of the Trustees of the Butt Field (normally delegated to the Team Vicar), a charity probably set up in the reign of Henry VIII mainly for archery training, It was formalised in an appointment of new trustees in 1703 which describes the land as ‘anciently given to the inhabitants of Playden partly to sport and recreate themselves in and partly for the raising of money to the defraying and payment of wages of the Parish Clerk’ (now PCC funds). The Trustees who also include Fete in the Butt Field the Churchwardens and representatives of the Parish Council and the community, maintain the field for these purposes. It has two public footpaths passing through it. Normally let for sheep grazing it is also used by the population of Playden for occasional major events such as Jubilee Parties. Friends of Playden Church The Friends of Playden Church is a separate charity established to raise funds for the maintenance of our Grade-1 listed building. The Team Vicar of Playden is ex-officio the President of the Executive Committee. Rye, & District Memorial Hospital Rye Health Quarter Whilst it is not strictly within the Parish, the Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital is directly opposite the church, and the Playden/Iden Team Vicar has supported this with pastoral visits to here, plus to St Bartholomew's Court retirement complex which is next to the hospital. On the road next to the hospital is a newly-completed Community Hub. In addition there are ap- proved plans for a ‘not for profit’ 60 bed care/nursing home adjacent to the hospital site which will offer opportunities and Rye Community Hub potential demands on the Team Vicar in the future. A doctor’s surgery is situated at the Hospital site which serves patients beyond the Parish.

Playden Community Facilities There is a Women’s Institute hall refurbished in 1999 which serves as a community facility with its own car park which is extensively hired out for meetings, classes etc by organisations W.I. Hall from both within and outside the parish. There are two pubs/hotels within or adjoining the parish boundary, serving both drink and food to locals as well as providing accommodation for visitors.

About The Church The present church, a Grade 1 Listed Building, was built about 1190 in the Norman and Early English styles, and is considered to be a remarkably fine, well-proportioned example of a small church of that period, with an entry in “England’s Thousand Best Churches”. Various alterations and restorations have been carried out during the course of the church’s history. Windows were inserted in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, and brick buttresses were added to the north and south walls in the 17th and 18th centuries. By the late 19th century the church was in a bad state of repair, but restoration was carried out in 1898.

Worship and Church Life Today, in addition to regular Sunday services, the church is a popular wedding venue, and since the demise of the chapel at Rye Cemetery, nearby, is increasingly used for funeral services. The church is also used for fund-raising concerts, including in the past as a venue for the one of the Rye Arts Festival concerts. It is also used by St Michael’s Church of England Primary School for their Easter service, and for the Leavers service at the end of the summer term, where, jointly with Iden, we give each of the leavers a Bible to help them on their spiritual journey. First service after lockdown 2020 There are regular weekly 11am Sunday services. The first Sunday in the month is a family communion with refreshments, with the remaining Sundays a parish communion. Attendance is approximately 20 out of the Church electoral roll of around 50. Laities have been encouraged to develop their ministries, e.g. the use of lay intercessors in worship, participation in Passiontide liturgical reading, and lay administrators of the Holy Communion.

Consecration of the churchyard extension Special services include a Christingle service, a midnight mass on Christmas Eve, a Christmas carol service (with choir) and Holy Week devotions. Playden is also used within the Rye Team Ministry to host the All Souls service for the bereaved. We also operate a small prayer partners scheme. At Christmas time we also go carol singing in the parish. We hold an annual church fete in the Churchyard for fund-raising, which is attended and enjoyed not just by the regular church-goers but also by non-church goers and helps to integrate the Church into the community. Other fundraising activities include coffee mornings and with the Friends, guided walks and illustrated talks.

Church Fete

Church Building projects We have recently undertaken two major projects – re-shingling the church spire, and refurbish- ment of our 100-year old organ. The cost for this (over £100,000) was met in part for the re-shingling by a generous donation from the Friends of Playden Church, with the remainder coming from a bequest left to the Church a number of years ago. For the immediate future we have work remaining from our Quinquennial Report of between £30,000 and £60,000, which we hope will be covered by a further grant from the Friends of Playden church, with the balance coming from bequests. In addition, however, together with the Church Architect we are currently monitoring cracks in the West wall and chancel, and whilst we are advised there is no immediate cause for concern, it does nevertheless present something of an unknown in terms of future expenditure required.

The Vicarage The Vicarage, which also serves Iden, is a four bedroom detached house built in 1969 with ground floor study located in the Playden area (just over the A268 in Rye).

Playden Vicarage Job description and person profile for Team Rector

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Responsibilities of Team Rector are:

Leadership of the Rye Team of Churches

To work with the diocese and all the parishes to ensure the recruitment of a complete clergy team in the benefice and to lead and manage this to maintain the religious life and pastoral care in the parishes. To lead and coordinate the staff team – and to utilise the assistance of retired clergy as appropriate. To continue spiritual nurture and guidance and facilitate worship in all churches in the Team. To have an interest in engaging with all age groups and sectors of the community including schools, young children, families, and the retired. To be open and flexible, and eager to share in an integrated and effective Team ministry, with the mutual support that a Team can offer – independence and interdependence. To participate positively in ecumenical initiatives, for example with ‘Churches Together in Rye’, to contribute to the Conquest Hospital service rota and to extend friendship with ministerial colleagues.

Worship, Faith and Pastoral Ministry in the Parish Church of Rye with

To lead in the planning and delivery of worship and outreach (including the occasional offices), and to preach the Gospel. To take responsibility for the pastoral care of those in the parish and on the electoral roll, including visiting the sick, home visits and responding to the spiritual needs of individuals and families. To lead in the planning and delivery of a variety of worship, including celebrating the Church’s year and the design of special services such as civic occasions and services for remembrance, armistice, schools, care of creation, the lifeboat memorial service at Rye Harbour, ‘Churches Together’, etc. To instigate and support relevant House Groups, including Bible Study, Theology, Lent Study etc. To introduce the tradition of Parish Quiet Days for spiritual refreshment To guide and participate in the church’s ministry of welcome and information to our many tourists and visitors. To inspire a partnership in faith between the congregations of Rye and Rye Harbour. Provide support for the Churchwardens, Vergers and Volunteers in the day to day management of the church and parish Continue close and supportive relationship with Baptist and Methodist ministers and RC priest Community Outreach

To act as Chaplain to the Mayor, if invited. To act as Chaplain to Royal British Legion in Rye, if invited. To liaise with the Head Teachers and staff of Rye College and Rye Community Primary School and to take some assemblies. To act as a Trustee of The Friends of St Mary’s and attend committee meetings. To maintain and improve links with the following organisations: RNLI, Guides, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts, Ferry Road Nursery, Pugwash Nursery and others. To contribute ‘Rector’s Notes’ to our two-monthly magazine ‘Pendulum’ and compile the weekly Newsletter, submit text for the church’s monthly page in ‘Rye Fixtures’ and support the church’s website and Facebook page.

PERSON PROFILE We are looking for an inspirational and prayerful leader, grounded in a strong personal faith, who has the energy and vision to embrace this varied and fulfilling role in our group of churches - each of which has its own personality.

We are seeking an individual who:

Is secure in faith, prayer and preaching the Gospel and who will be a visible and approachable presence in our community Has experience in worship, pastoral care and parish life Has spirituality and wisdom and is able to inspire spiritual growth, outreach and development Has leadership qualities and is able to empower others Gets on well with a variety of people and has experience of work with families and in schools Is imaginative and creative in the design of different types of worship and would encourage music, in all its forms, in our churches Has good interpersonal skills and is able to take advantage of the opportunity in ministry to our many visitors and tourists Understands the importance of personal time and stress management. Sussex

RYE

Location of the Rye Team Churches

East Guldeford

Rye Harbour