sign in sign up
<<
Home , Diocese of Exeter, Little Torrington, Mark Butchers, St Giles in the Wood

The Diocese of

A Profile of the

United Benefice of

with

a Role Description and Specification for a new incumbent

15 June 2015 1 Contents Foreword ...... 3 THE UNITED BENEFICE ...... 4 ROLE DESCRIPTION ...... 6 PERSON SPECIFICATION ...... 7 Qualifications and qualities...... 7 Experience and Skills ...... 7 GREAT TORRINGTON ...... 8 The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels ...... 10 Pastoral Care ...... 12 Some facts and figures ...... 13 The Vicarage ...... 14 ...... 15 St Mary and St Gregory's Church ...... 15 Some facts and figures ...... 17 Person specification for the Parish of Frithelstock ...... 17 ...... 18 St Giles' Church ...... 19 Our new priest ...... 20 Some facts and figures ...... 21 Services ...... 21 TADDIPORT ...... 22 The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen ...... 23 Some facts and figures ...... 26 Services ...... 26 Our new priest ...... 26 Appendices ...... 27 Pattern of Services ...... 28 Financial statement for Great Torrington ...... 29 Financial statement for Frithelstock ...... 30 Financial statement for Little Torrington ...... 31

15 June 2015 2 Foreword

Thank you for your interest in this post.

The attractive market town of Great Torrington and the two small villages of Little Torrington and Frithelstock are set in glorious countryside and within easy reach of a beautiful coastline. It is undoubtedly a very attractive place to live.

The churches have great potential to grow and develop, especially Great Torrington, and the Diocese places great importance on appointing the right priest to lead this process. The challenges are significant. Great Torrington has experienced a lot of turbulence over the last three years and there is much listening, caring and healing to be done in the church and parish. There is a wide social mix, with some areas of deprivation and social problems. The connections with the wider community need considerable strengthening (there was only one Baptism in Great Torrington in 2014), so we are looking for someone who will immerse himself in the life of all three communities in an incarnational, down to earth way. Encouraging, resourcing and supporting the mission and outreach of the congregations is a key task.

Great Torrington has Resolutions A, B and C in place; Little Torrington and Frithelstock do not. All three parishes wish their differing theological convictions to be respected, and the Diocese is committed to that. We therefore seek a traditionalist male priest who will also respect the views of the two smaller village congregations.

The overall vision of the Diocese has three priorities: Growing in Prayer; Making New Disciples; and Serving the People of with Joy. Mission Communities are central to the strategy to implement this vision and foster mission and growth. You can find more information about Mission Communities on the diocesan website in the documents, ‘Moving on in Mission and Ministry’ (2003) and ‘Towards a Diocesan Mission Action Plan’ (2012). Any candidate for this post must show awareness of and commitment to both the diocesan vision and the Mission Communities strategy.

The challenges are considerable, but the opportunities are exciting. This has the potential to be an immensely rewarding post, and I commend this profile to you for your prayerful reflection. Please feel free to ring me for an informal conversation if you would like to.

The Ven Dr Archdeacon of

Among the patrons of the living of Great Torrington, Little Torrington and Frithelstock are the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church,Oxford. Christ Church is in the happy position of being able to support the incumbents of its ninety livings through the revenues of the Dr South Trust, which is able to assist with grants for study, administration and holidays, as well as offering a biennial conference and loans for the purchase of a car.

15 June 2015 3 THE UNITED BENEFICE

The united benefice occupies a particularly beautiful and largely unspoilt part of rural . It comprises of three parishes: 1. Great Torrington 2. Frithelstock 3. Little Torrington, including the proprietary chapel at Taddiport

They can all be accessed from the A386 main road which runs between and . There are good bus links with Bideford, Barnstaple, Exeter and .

Barnstaple the largest town in North Devon, has the district general hospital and can provide a good range of shopping and services.

For those interested, there is plenty of opportunity to avail themselves of the rural pursuits of hunting, riding, fishing and shooting and coastal activities.

The benefice is fortunate to have a Reader who is responsible for one service on most Sundays.

In addition to the role of Vicar of Great Torrington, the incumbent of the united benefice is also responsible as Rector for both St Mary and St Gregory, Frithelstock and St Giles' Church, Little Torrington and both of which are thinly populated rural parishes and is also responsible by invitation to minister to the privately owned medieval Leper Chapel of St Mary Magdalene at Taddiport.

15 June 2015 4 MAP OF THE BENEFICE

15 June 2015 5

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The priest who is called to the benefice will rapidly develop clear ideas as to what is needed at the commencement of their ministry. We perceive our first priority to be to offer support in those emerging tasks. However, there are several areas of the mission and ministry of the Church here that we would like to see given some priority.

Above all, of course, we need someone who will be our shepherd and our spiritual guide; one who will lead us deeper into our own relationship with God; one who will show us by word and example how to share that experience with others.

As the initial steps in that task we would like our new priest:

 to be visible and accessible throughout the benefice and earn the respect of the population  to work with the churchwardens and get to know the communities in some depth  to help us to develop a vision for our mission here, and then work with us in developing our Mission Action Plan  to help us develop more accessible worship in a traditional form, thus enhancing the congregational experience of our services  as an early priority, to develop relationships with civic and secular organisations and the people within them.

15 June 2015 6 PERSON SPECIFICATION

The qualifications, experience and skills listed below will equip the candidate for the task in hand. Where direct experience or acquired skill is lacking recognisable and realisable potential in a candidate will be given due weight. Qualifications and qualities  A priest with recognised theological qualifications, ordained within the Church of or a church in communion with the  A priest who will respect the position of Great Torrington to receive priestly and episcopal ministry in accordance with their theological convictions, and who will respect the different theological convictions of Little Torrington and Frithelstock  A priest who regards the priesthood as a true vocation and not just an occupation and who demonstrates a developed and grounded personal spiritual life.  A capacity of immediate potential to exercise ministry at incumbent status.  A commitment to grow the Church, to consolidate the existing congregations, and to draw families and young people into the family of the Church. Experience and Skills  An Anglo-Catholic priest who will be at ease celebrating a traditional High Mass with all the ceremonial at Great Torrington and who also feels at home with the simple traditional Holy Communion in the village churches.  Candidates should demonstrate experience of, or willingness to learn, working in both small village and town environments, and a knowledge of rural communities.  An ability to relate to others with common sense, tact and diplomacy.  A demonstrability to sustain, in its entirety, the celebration of all the ceremonies that mark the progression of the Church year (eg Candlemass, Palm Sunday procession, Easter Vigil and Corpus Christi procession).  An ability and commitment to preach and teach the Gospel.  A willingness and ability to uphold the strong musical tradition of Great Torrington.  An ability and desire to build on the links with the schools in the benefice and to work with children and young people.  Experience and willingness in working with people of different traditions and other denominations, and a commitment to build on the links with other local Christian communities.  Experience of pastoral ministry in a variety of settings and a commitment to exercise pastoral care.  A willingness to be involved in the life of the communities and in the civic and secular organisations throughout the benefice.  It is desirable that the new incumbent has experience of, and interest in, the appointment and training of future ordinands.

15 June 2015 7 GREAT TORRINGTON

Great Torrington, high on its prominent hill above the , is a busy and pleasant market town of about 5,500 people, some 6 miles upstream from Bideford and 35 miles from Exeter.

During the 17th century English Civil War, Great Torrington was a strategic Royalist stronghold and the scene of the last important victory of the Parliamentary army in the West, during which the Parish Church was blown up and many people killed.

Having been an important centre of agriculture and trades associated with it, Torrington has declined in population and prosperity. Today its population is rising, and commercial life is stronger, with a little light industry, although North Devon has a good deal of unemployment.

The character of the town is reflected in its cultural life, centred on the Plough Arts Centre and cinema, which draws people from a wide area and caters for the cultural interest of numerous groups of adults and children. The town has a Silver Band which draws players from outlying villages as well as the town. There is a Museum and Historical Society, and many other active organisations; including Rotary and Probus Clubs, musical and dance groups.

In recent years the Torrington and District Trust has stimulated interest in the history of the town, drawing attention to its importance during the Civil War, and attracting more visitors. The Battle of Torrington is commemorated annually in February with a torchlight procession and fireworks.

All essential shops and services are provided in the town, there is a Pannier Market, some charity shops, and a number of Public Houses with some serving food. There are also restaurants providing Asian cuisines.

There are two medical practices, two dental practices (including a National Health dentist) and a cottage hospital, which regrettably, has lost its permanent beds provision.

There are nursery, primary and secondary schools, but currently no sixth form.

15 June 2015 8 After secondary school most pupils go on to the college in Barnstaple. There are a number of independent schools in the area. The primary school is a Church of England controlled school.

All the main sports are catered for, including football, rugby and bowls with golf nearby. There is a swimming pool and sports hall.

Youth organisations include Scouting, Girlguiding and the Cadet Force.

There are Methodist and Baptist churches in town. The Holy Family Roman Catholic church is served from Bideford. There is a congregation of Brethren and an independent Baptist community church that meets in the primary school. Representatives from all churches in the town have formed Churches Together and meet to organise services and events for all denominations.

Torrington is fortunate to be partly surrounded by a huge area of Common Land which is crossed by 26 miles of footpaths and is a paradise for dog walkers. Visitors are drawn to the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Rosemoor, to the Crystal works, and to the remarkable view from Castle Hill across the River Torridge, which borders the Tarka Trail, a national cycle and walking route.

The annual May Fair on the first Thursday in May is marked by special events and ceremonies. Every five years the Torrington Cavaliers arrange a huge bonfire on the Commons raising funds for charity.

More information about the town can be found on the town website.

15 June 2015 9 The Parish Church of St Michael and All Angels Patron: Christchurch College Oxford

The Church building of St Michaels is large and prominent. The medieval building mostly survived the explosion of 1646 but was drastically altered in character in the late Victorian time. A new spire was added in the early 19th century. The ring of eight bells attracts many visiting teams of ringers. The famous Father Willis organ is one of the best in the West Country; several commercial recordings have been made here by famous organists. Thomas Fowler, who invented one of the first calculators (a precursor to the electronic computer, and discovered the principle that enabled the development of the central heating system, was once the church organist. As well as a full programme of organ recitals, there are choral concerts by the Singers and the North Devon Choral Society and performances by the North Devon Sinfonia, among others. The style of worship is traditional Anglo-Catholic, using the new liturgy. Weekly reading sheets are produced by the Redemptorist Press. The New English Hymnal is the hymn book of choice.

A small but enthusiastic choir leads the singing and sings an anthem every Sunday.

The Sunday service is a sung Mass at 10am with ceremonial as full as we can make it, including incense, with 50+ communicants. The main festivals and seasons of the Church, especially Holy Week, are observed as fully as resources permit.

On Palm Sunday there is a procession from the town square, including other Churches from the town.

At Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve there are 100+ communicants and about 100 non-communicants.

At the Easter Vigil there are approximately 30 communicants, and 80 on Easter Day.

15 June 2015 10

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings there is a said Mass attended by between 2 and 12 people and on Holy Days there is an evening sung Mass with around 20 communicants.

During the last year there have been a number of Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals in Church alongside those funerals at the Crematorium in Barnstaple.

There is provision for children whose parents may attend Mass, to join the Sunday Club, held in the ringing room. Our Mothers Union is currently in abeyance. There is a large band of bellringers. The Electoral Roll in 2014 was 64.

Twenty five percent of the congregation come into the parish from outside because they prefer our tradition. The majority of the present congregation is middle aged or older. There is a large band of volunteers, willing to help at all parish functions; church cleaning; and annual Spring clean.

The church finances are now on a sound footing. Although the request for contribution to the common fund continues to increase, the parish has paid in full for the past three years.

The west end of the Church was equipped with a kitchen, new ringing chamber and gallery, ten years ago, and a sound system has recently been installed. We are now about to embark on major repairs to the tower, spire and roof and grants are being applied for. The clergy's expenses are paid in full. As a congregation we support the Children's Society, Christian Aid and the Additional Curates Society.

We are trying to encourage everyone into the Church by introducing services on a Sunday afternoon, including Choral Evensong on the Mayfair weekend, when there is also a flower festival, and a Christmas Carol service followed by refreshments.

15 June 2015 11

As we have no church hall, the church is used for fund-raising activities, which brings members of the general public into the church building. Pastoral Care Communion is taken to the housebound1, and to the three care homes on request. The Vicar also participates in religious assemblies in the Bluecoat Primary school and is a member of its governing body.

The Bluecoats school attends the church for a service before Christmas, on Ash Wednesday, and during Passiontide, and at the end of the summer term for the Blessing of Leavers. The vicar is a member, ex officio of the Town Lands Trustees, who own lands and houses in the Town and who distribute income from rents and investments. The vicar is customarily chair of the Magdalen Trustees of Little Torrington, who do the same thing on a smaller scale.

There is a house in Little Torrington owned by the Exeter Diocese Board of Finance (EDBF) and held for the benefit of the parish of Little Torrington. While it is accepted that the house will not be available for a house for duty, it could provide accommodation for a curate-in-training if the benefice were to be assigned such a post. There is no guarantee of this though. It is still available for other church uses. At present the house is let out by EDBF.

Recently we have been fortunate to have the help of two retired clergy who are familiar with the style of worship here. We have a voluntary parish worker, who is currently testing his vocation to the priesthood.

The Parochial Church Council consists of the incumbent, the churchwardens, the secretary and treasurer two Deanery Synod members, and nine other members elected on a three-yearly cycle for a term of three years.

Alternative Episcopal Oversight Formerly, the benefice received its pastoral oversight from the . More recently we were under the pastoral care of +, Bishop of Plymouth, appointed to the role by +, . However, following +John Ford's departure to Australia, pastoral care has reverted to the present Bishop of Ebbsfleet, +. Great Torrington remains with Resolutions A, B and C in place, with Taddiport sympathetic to them. Consequently any incumbent needs to be a priest who was ordained by a bishop whose episcopy stands in the historic, apostolic succession of bishops and whose ministry is in conformity with the tenets of the ecclesiastical body known as The Society.

1About 12-20 monthly 15 June 2015 12 Some facts and figures Communicants: Average Sunday 10am 50+ Thursday 10.30am 10-12 Wednesday and Friday 8.30am 2-8 Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 100 Easter Vigil 7pm 30 Easter Sunday 10am 80-100 Evening Sung Mass on Holy Days 20 Baptism 1 Funerals 10 Cremations 3 Weddings 1

Common Fund 2014 £24,750 paid in full 2015 £27,386

Previous parish priests:

Samuel Buckland MA 1849-1894 Frank Emlyn Jones MA 1894-1934 William Keeble Martin MA 1934-1943 Charles Joseph Barker MA 1943-1958 Peter Graham Harrison MA 1958-1978 Jeremy David Hummerstone MA 1980-2010 Lawrence MacLean BD AKC 2011-2014

15 June 2015 13 The Vicarage

The Vicarage, built on the site of a manor house originally given to the priest and his successors by Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1491, is one of the valuable assets of the benefice, being a large well maintained2 and comfortable grade II listed 6-7 bedroomed house in secluded grounds near the Church and a short walk from the town centre.

It is ideally suited for combining family life with parish activities, many of which, such as the annual church fete and various children's sporting activities, take place in the house and garden.

A plaque on the gate commemorates a former vicar, William Keble Martin, author and illustrator of the Concise British Flora.

In 2000 the Community Development Trust sponsored the creation of an organic garden on part of the Vicarage ground, the produce of which was sold in the town. The garden was the subject of a BBC television programme featuring Charlie Dimmock and her Garden Army. When the cameras went away, interest waned and the garden is now let to a nurseryman but is still a pleasant place to visit.

For further pictures of the Vicarage on the church website

2Extensively renovated and refurbished during the previous parish vacancy. 15 June 2015 14 FRITHELSTOCK St Mary and St Gregory's Church Patron: The Rt Hon Lord Clinton

This lovely old church set beside the ruins of Frithelstock Priory is steeped in history and is approximately 3 miles from Great Torrington.

Vestments are worn for Book of Common Prayer services.

We traditionally have had services every Sunday as follows:  Communion twice a month and morning prayer on other Sundays, for which we are quite happy to have a Reader. This we would hope to continue.  Harvest Festival service takes the form of Evening Prayer, when it is tradition to invite a guest preacher.  A Remembrance service is held in the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday which includes a visit of the Royal British Legion Standard, a churchwarden being chairman of the local branch.

We are looking for a strong vicar who will give us a Prayer Book service which we all enjoy, not an Anglo Catholic service. A good singing voice would be a great advantage.

It is a rural parish with very strong farming traditions, so someone who can empathise with the needs and problems of the farming community is essential.

15 June 2015 15 We need someone who can reach out to the parish and who is prepared with the help of two long-standing churchwardens to visit a scattered congregation and able to talk to them at their level. We firmly believe that the new Rector should be seen in and around the parish on a weekly basis.

We have our set of bellringers, learners but doing well.

We are aware that young families in the village rarely attend services but do take part in activities. We look to an incumbent who can encourage young people into the Church, therefore the candidate must have experience of parish ministry and be able enough to guide a strong rural community.

As we are a parish with only one place of worship we think it vital to attract other denominations to boost our congregation, we therefore work with the local Methodist church in social and fundraising activities and hope to continue to do so.

Frithelstock has an up-to-date village hall, run by its own committee and is available to other organisations for a fee. The village has several active committees who get support from most of the village. In 2012 it was voted the 'best kept village' and has been runner up on a number of occasions.

The village has its own website.

15 June 2015 16 Some facts and figures Number on electoral roll 13 Average Sunday attendance 9 Easter 34 Funeral 2 Cremation 2 Baptism 0 Wedding 1

Common Fund 2014 £1,918 paid in full 2015 £1,950 Person specification for the Parish of Frithelstock Candidates should have obtained the recognized theological qualification to have been ordained within the Church of England.

Candidates should have knowledge of working with young people and a good understanding of working with people of different traditions.

Candidates should have the ability and commitment to work closely and collaborate with others including the unchurched and build respect within the community.

An ability to preach, teach and communicate the Gospel.

A passion and vision as to how to grow the church within the community.

Please note, this parish rescinded resolutions A, B and C in 2014 and confirmed this again at the AGM of the PCC in March 2015.

15 June 2015 17 LITTLE TORRINGTON The parish became part of the united benefice which was created from a Pastoral Scheme which took effect on 1 July, 1981, uniting the parishes of Great Torrington, Little Torrington and Frithelstock. The incumbent of Great Torrington is effectively Rector of Little Torrington and over their direct pastoral care. The Rev J D Hummerstone was the first incumbent of this new benefice, with the right 'to employ an assistant curate or such other clerical or lay assistance....' St Giles' House at Little Torrington provides a dwelling for anyone so appointed. St Giles’ House is owned by the Exeter Diocesan Board of Finance (EDBF) and held for the benefit of the parish of Little Torrington. In the past it has provided accommodation for an assistant priest within the benefice. There has been no resident assistant priest since 2005. Although let out by EDBF it could provide accommodation for a number of church purposes in the future.

Little Torrington has within its boundary Taddiport Chapel. It has traditionally been served by the priests from Little Torrington and Great Torrington.

The parish lies within the Clinton Ward of the Council, occupying an area of 3142 acres. It is separated from the south west of Great Torrington Parish and parishes by the River Torridge. From Great to Little Torrington Church towers is some two miles by the A386. A very rural parish of scattered farmsteads and hamlets which does have two concentrations of population, namely close to the church and at Taddiport. The population is reckoned to be 420. There are no shops or services in Little Torrington, the nearest facilities being located in Great Torrington.

The main church associated activity is that of bell ringing, the Church having its own team of ringers. They ring for Sunday Eucharist services and Festivals; and weddings and funerals, if requested. Other organisations are centred on the Victory Hall and these include Women's Institute, short mat bowls, skittles and badminton. The hall committee also organise a monthly coffee morning, usually held on the first Monday of the month. This allows parishioners to meet in a friendly atmosphere. Various functions are also held in the hall from time to time to raise funds towards the upkeep of the hall itself. For Church functions such as the Harvest Supper and Carol Service refreshments are also provided in the hall. The village summer fete was re-established in 2014, and an inaugural Easter Fair will be held in 2015.

Smytham Manor and Torridge House both provide holiday accommodation of varying kinds and therefore some employment possibilities. Many of those in the population centres are retired. There are presently very few children in the parish. A bus service links Little Torrington to Great Torrington, Bideford, Barnstaple and Okehampton.

15 June 2015 18 St Giles' Church Patron: The Prayer Book Society

St Giles', Little Torrington is Grade II*.

The first recorded vicar of Little Torrington was instituted in 1259. This indicates that there was a Saxon or Norman church in the village before the building of the present perpendicular church, early in the 15th century.

Since then it has been renovated and repaired on a number of occasions with the last major renovation in 1898

St Giles is in the early stages of a major renovation and refurbishment project3; this will include repairs to the roof and drainage plus installation of heating, disabled toilet and servery. It is anticipated that the project, spearheaded by the PCC, will take about 3-5 years and will result in a building that is fit for purpose and which will continue to be a focal point of community life. It is vital that the incumbent will fully participate in this important project.

3HLF/other grant funded

15 June 2015 19 Our new priest As Rector of Little Torrington, the incumbent will be expected to provide leadership and pastoral care specific to the needs of the Parish. The appointee must have an outgoing personality with good communication and interpersonal skills. It is essential that the appointee becomes a familiar presence throughout the parish, recognisable to the community as a whole, and to maintain a high degree of responsibility for the pastoral requirements of the community. In order to achieve this end it is considered necessary that the incumbent set aside the equivalent of one day a fortnight to visit parishioners in their own homes.

The Rector will be committed to maintaining the presence of the church and the continuation of the preaching and teaching of the Christian Gospel and its associated ministries.

The tradition of the church is the Book of Common Prayer services, with permitted variations. Vestments are available and expected to be worn at communion services

Whilst wishing to maintain the traditional base of worship in the parish, the Rector will be expected to explore the furthering of the mission of the church through the introduction of, for example, 'Fresh Expressions of Church'.

This will necessitate a good working relationship with the PCC of which the Rector is the chair. There is potential for revival of pastoral opportunities to embrace contact with parishioners, including visiting on a regular basis. There is a monthly coffee morning in the village hall.

Sight should not be lost, whilst viewing this vacancy, that an assistant priest is considered an essential appointment by this parish, as indicated in the original charge for the benefice. The post has remained unfulfilled for several years and has proved to be detrimental to the conduct of the benefice. We are fully aware of the current financial restrictions, however, there exists an opportunity to rethink the way in which such a post may be filled.

At a PCC meeting held on Monday 13 April, 2015, Resolutions A and B were both considered and it was resolved not to adopt either of them. Thus the resolution to

15 June 2015 20 rescind both of them passed by the then PCC on Thursday 17 June, 2010 remains unchanged. Some facts and figures Churchmanship Traditional – middle church Average attendance 7/8 Special services: Harvest and Carols 60/70 Easter 13 Remembrance 20/30 Baptisms 2 Confirmations 0 Marriages 1 Funerals 5 Congregation mostly retired

Common Fund 2014 £2,918 paid in full 2015 £2,706

Associated activities: Bellringers, two local and ringers from other parishes

Services All regular services are Book of Common Prayer based. 1st and 3rd Sundays 11.15am Morning Prayer (shortened) 2nd and 4th Sundays 11.15am Holy Communion (with hymns) 5th Sundays 11.15am Family Service

15 June 2015 21 TADDIPORT Taddiport is a small picturesque village situated on the main road from Great Torrington to and it lies in the valley between Great and Little Torrington. The older part of the village has 36 houses and there is also an estate with a further 50 houses and bungalows. The River Torridge flows nearby under an old pack horse bridge and is the crossing point from Great Torrington into the village. The village has no pub or shop but has the village hall which was formerly the school.

In the Middle Ages Taddiport was a leper colony, evidence of which can still be seen in the strip fields some half a mile from the church. Sadly there are now only two remaining from the original seven. Those two now belong to the Magdalen Charity Trust. Every year the church supports the Leprosy Mission, which is based in Peterborough, in honour of our history and foundation.

During the years of operation of the Rolle Canal there was a quay here.

15 June 2015 22 The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen

The chantry chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Taddiport, is within the parish of Little Torrington. This is a 'Free' church unique in that it offers services by invitation to the incumbent of the Great Torrington Benefice. Because of this uniqueness, Taddiport is regarded as 'The jewel in the crown' of the benefice. Records for the church date back to 1311 with repairs to the building in 1400, at this time the Pope 'offered relaxation to the penitents' helping with repairs to, and conservation of the chapel.

The chapel consists of a nave, sanctuary, north east transept with carved oak, wall paintings below the rafters. The bell tower, with one bell was hung in 1645 and made by John Pennington of Exeter.

15 June 2015 23 There are small windows, one of which is quite outstanding – depicting lepers at work; it was presented to the chapel in 1972 by a local art degree student. There is also a blocked door which was used to pass food to the leper inmates.

The organ was purchased in the 1970s from a closed church in the Midlands.

There are wall scripts from the 17th century, one of the Ten Commandments in the North East Transept and another in the nave of the 'devise iniquity'.

15 June 2015 24 During 2012/13 a kitchen was installed in the belfry to be used for coffee mornings and refreshments for Harvest Festivals and Carol Services.

To complete the project, a painted screen in the form of a triptych was constructed over the new kitchen area. The screen is decorated with both the symbols of Jesus and Mary Magdalen after whom the chapel is dedicated. The central panel bears the flag of the resurrection and the sacred Chalice, the Holy Grail. Below the panel are the words 'Noli Me Tangere' which our Lord spoke to Mary Magdalene on the Day of Resurrection. The whole scene is

animated above by the dove, the Holy

Spirit

Taddiport is a proprietory chapel, founded as a chantry and therefore not within the Faculty Jurisdiction Measure. This is what is meant by the word 'Free' mentioned before. The building of the church is managed as a charity of which there are six trustees, two churchwardens, a secretary and treasurer and the incumbent acting as chairman by invitation. A financial agreement between the incumbent of the united benefice of Great Torrington and the trustees will need to be undertaken. This will comply with the Charity Commission guidelines and allow us to play our full part in the life of the benefice.

The chapel is in very good repair having had a new transept roof in 2005, a new roof over the nave and work on the tower both in 2008. After the Belfry project in 2012, our finances are low at the moment.

Alternative Episcopal Oversight Great Torrington remains with the Resolutions in place and Taddiport is in sympathy with Great Torrington.

15 June 2015 25 Some facts and figures Average for Holy Communion 8-14 Easter Sunday 10-15 Harvest Festival 45-50 Carol Service 45-56 Christmas Day 25-30

Baptism 1 Services 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays 9.00am Holy Communion 2nd and 4th Sundays 3.30pm Evensong Harvest Festival 6.30pm Collection to the Leprosy Mission Christmas Carol Service 6.00pm

We use the Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern.

Our new priest We would like a priest, ordained in the Church of England, with recognised theological qualifications, with a good ability to preach and teach the Gospel, who will need to be able to mix with people of all ages and have a good understanding of country life.

15 June 2015 26

Appendices

15 June 2015 27 Pattern of Services Great Torrington Taddiport Little Torrington Frithelstock Week 1 Sunday 10am 9am 11.15am 11am Sung Mass Sung Eucharist Morning Prayer Communion with hymns Wednesday and 8.30am Low Friday Mass Thursday 10.30am Low Mass Week 2 Sunday 10am 3.30pm 11.15am 11am Sung Mass Evensong Communion with Morning Prayer hymns Wednesday and 8.30am Low Friday Mass Thursday 10.30am Low Mass Week 3 Sunday 10am 9am 11.15am 11am Sung Mass Sung Eucharist Morning Prayer Communion with hymns Wednesday and 8.30am Low Friday Mass Thursday 10.30am Low Mass Week 4 Sunday 10am 3.30pm 11.15am 11am Sung Mass Evensong Communion with Morning Prayer hyms Wednesday and 8.30am Low Friday Mass Thursday 10.30am Low Mass Week 5 Sunday 10am 9am 11.15am 11am Sung Mass Sung Eucharist Family Service Morning Prayer Wednesday and 8.30am Low Friday Mass Thursday 10.30am Low Mass

15 June 2015 28 Financial statement for Great Torrington

15 June 2015 29 Financial statement for Frithelstock

15 June 2015 30 Financial statement for Little Torrington

15 June 2015 31