Parish Profile 2021
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Parish Profile St Edmund’s: view of the north porch entrance from the churchyard Jesus said: ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water’. John 7.38 Living Brook is a benefice fed by the living water of God, growing in worship and prayer and in numbers. We want to share that joy-giving, living water with all our communities, that all may be transformed by the love of Jesus. 2021 Welcome Welcome to the Parish Profile of St Edmund, King & Martyr, Hardingstone, Northampton, as we look forward to appointing the 54th Vicar in the history of our church. It is our intention that this document, read in conjunction with the profiles of Piddington with Horton, Quinton and Preston Deanery, and St Mary the Virgin, Northampton, will provide a flavour of the life of this parish and benefice. We can offer: • a small but loyal and able congregation, willing and eager to serve • a church that desires spiritual and numerical growth, recognising that it has a challenging journey ahead • a variety of styles of worship, including the monthly Eucharist supported by the benefice choir • a vision to develop our work with families and children, our local schools, the lonely and the vulnerable in our community, building on existing foundations • an historic and atmospheric church building, which is in good condition, and for which reordering plans are in process • a parish, set on the ridge above Northampton; a suburb clinging to its village roots, about to double in size and with the Brackmills industrial estate within our boundaries • a parish with ancient ties to Delapré Abbey, that have recently been revived to extend our outreach via heritage and wellbeing initiatives • a modern Vicarage just a short stroll from the church building, on a quiet lane overlooking the Nene valley, with extensive countryside walks from the doorstep • a church currently in a weak financial position, dependent upon the support of the other two churches in our existing benefice If you believe you have the attributes, skills and enthusiasm to fulfil this very varied position and, with the assistance of a committed Ministry Team, lead our congregations young and old, in faith and discipleship, please take time to consider this profile of Hardingstone parish. Together with the needs of St Mary’s in Far Cotton, and working with the other parishes in Living Brook Benefice for the timebeing, this wide-ranging role will provide some amazing opportunities and considerable challenges. We pray that these documents will help you decide whether God is calling you to continue your ministerial journey with us. John Wilson Churchwarden 2 Living Brook Benefice, Northampton. Hardingstone Parish Profile Contents Hardingstone Parish ......................................................................................................................... 1 Welcome .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Contents ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Hardingstone Parish and its Setting .................................................................................................. 4 Vision and Mission ............................................................................................................................ 9 Future Direction .............................................................................................................................. 10 Church Buildings ............................................................................................................................ 13 Sunday and Weekday Services ...................................................................................................... 16 Other Services ................................................................................................................................ 18 Support Available ........................................................................................................................... 19 Youth and Children’s Work ............................................................................................................. 21 Church Groups and Activities ......................................................................................................... 23 Finance ........................................................................................................................................... 24 Organisation ................................................................................................................................... 26 Person Specification for St Edmunds .............................................................................................. 28 A position for you? .......................................................................................................................... 29 Appendix - Growth Action Plan 2017 - 2020 .....................................................................................30 Acknowledgement The Parochial Church Council of St Edmund, King & Martyr, Hardingstone, would like to thank our church members and friends who have contributed towards the preparation of this document. 3 Living Brook Benefice, Northampton. Hardingstone Parish Profile The Parish and Its Setting Hardingstone Hardingstone is an important survival of the medieval villages that surrounded Northampton and have now been largely incorporated into the Borough of Northampton. Sitting on a hill above the town and separated by the main A45 to the south of the town, Hardingstone retains this village atmosphere but is administratively a suburb. The grade 2* Church of St Edmund, King & Martyr, is the most important and certainly the oldest building in the village, sited to the west of the visual centre of the village green. The core of the old village is a conservation area, made up of attractive ironstone cottages dating from the 18C-19C century. Many properties were built as part of the old Delapré Abbey estate, whose parkland (now woods and a golf course) stretches down the hill to the outskirts of Northampton. Housing expansion between the 1920s and 1980s to the south of the historic centre, towards Wootton, includes a wide range of 1,024 houses representing a variety of socioeconomic groups. 21C housing developments have started to be built to the east of Hardingstone, sited off the Newport Pagnell Road. The large sustainable urban development, Landimore Park, will double the size of the village in the next 5 years. The parish extends over the A45 and to the east of London Road, down the valley slope to the River Nene. This area is a remnant of the estate lands of the historic Delapré Abbey, and includes the site of the Battle of Northampton and a Queen Eleanor Cross. Further east along the valley, and still mostly in our parish is Brackmills. The landscaped country park links the industrial estate, home to Barclays and other large employers, to the village. Several footpaths, including the ancient Portway make a pleasant walk up to Hardingstone village. Northampton is easily accessible from the M1 and has good transport links to Birmingham, Milton Keynes and London. The centre, with its ancient open market square and historic churches, is only two miles away. 4 Living Brook Benefice, Northampton. Hardingstone Parish Profile Map of Hardingstone in relation to Northampton Town Aerial view of Hardingstone, south of the A45 5 Living Brook Benefice, Northampton. Hardingstone Parish Profile Community Hardingstone is an interesting mix of characters. There are some families born and bred in the village, others moved ‘up from Northampton’, or ‘over from Wootton’. Most people have chosen to move here, because it is a lovely place to live but there are some transient residents in the social housing properties. There are many retired people in the community, but the majority of residents work either in Northampton or commute to larger cities. Busy working lives do limit participation in community activities. Nevertheless, the parish survey undertaken in 2019, as research for St Edmunds reordering project, received input from the following groups: Organisations that replied Community involvement Hardingstone Parish Council Parish council Hardingstone Academy School has good relationship with the church & community Hardingstone Academy PTA Organise fundraising events for the school 1st Hardingstone Scout Group Providing skills for life for 130 young people aged 6-18 Hardingstone Day Nursery Provide early years care fo children 3m - 5 years, including funded places for 2-4 y/o Friends of Hardingstone Small charity to rekindle commuity spirit & create more united village by encouraging peope to work together for the good of Hardingstone Bouverie House Community Social organisation for seniors (mainly) - coffee mornings, bingo, whist, line dancing & some special events Bouverie WI Friendship, fun and educational opportunities for ladies Hardingstone Players Provide entertainment in the village & an opportunity to participate in performance and other activities Hardingstone History Society Social meeting place for the villagers and those from elsewhere who have a common interest in history. Hardingstone Cricket Club Cricket club with c.50 members, many from the village. Elevenses Service Small informal church service allowing church to remain active and open Benefice Choir Singing at church services,