The United Benefice of Dartmouth and Dittisham 'A growing, joy-filled Christian presence at the heart of our communities' www.dartmouthanddittisham.co.uk The deep, sheltered waters of Dartmouth’s harbour offered destiny; with both hands, its medieval people grasped it. The sea was a thoroughfare for Englishmen setting out on the religious and secular wars of medieval times, and its harbour lent the town national importance. From here, men went off to the three crusades; they went on pilgrimages from here to Santiago de Compostela. Dartmouth an Enchanted Place, Joselin Fiennes, 2013 A Shipman was ther, woninge fer by weste; For ught I woot, he was of Dertemouthe. Chaucer, Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. The place of the church within this beautiful town and charming village is as vibrant and central as it was in the fourteenth century. Image courtesy of Shaunagh Radcliffe 1 ARCHDEACON’S FOREWORD Geographically, the parishes of Dartmouth and Dittisham occupy some of the most strikingly beautiful coastal and river scenery in England. Their ancient maritime and civic traditions give them exceptional historic significance. Britannia Royal Naval College is a prominent feature of Dartmouth in every sense. But it is as diverse communities with a strong desire for the pastoral ministry of the Church of England, with healthy, mission-minded parish churches operating in a classically Anglican tradition of worship and service, that these two parishes offer exceptional opportunities for a gifted priest to make a difference as their next Vicar. He or she will have strong foundations on which to build, in a benefice where leadership and oversight have been offered to a high standard over the past decade. Key attributes of the next incumbent will be a pastoral heart, wisdom in strategic discernment, high standards of liturgical leadership and preaching, the ability to relate to a wide socioeconomic spectrum and a wide age range, the confidence to lead with humility of spirit and clarity of vision, keenness to make new Christian disciples, and the willingness to engage deeply with the life of richly varied communities. It is a long way by road around the estuary to Dartmouth, and the ferry route across the river is hardly more expeditious; yet is does not feel like an isolated place. Dartmouth offers a base for life and work in a spectacularly beautiful part of the world, with instant access to the Devon coast and the loveliness of the South Hams, and Dartmoor not far away at the source of the river which is the ever-present feature of Dartmouth and Dittisham life. As local churches and mission communities in the Diocese of Exeter we seek to grow in prayer, make new disciples, and serve the people of Devon with joy. The churches of Dartmouth and Dittisham are strongly committed to those three key areas of Christian discipleship, and they look forward to receiving the ministry of a new Vicar who will help them develop this work in the next stage of their common life. Douglas Dettmer Archdeacon of Totnes 2 Appointment of Vicar of Dartmouth and Dittisham We are seeking a spiritual leader whose life and benefice work will be grounded in prayer, scripture and spirituality. They should hold the Eucharist centrally within different forms of worship, be able to advance the mission of the benefice in making new disciples and encouraging all to serve with joyful hearts and minds. Equally they should able to preach and teach whilst relating to a wide range of people within both rural and urban communities. Our new vicar will help us to: • inspire the breaking of new ground in mission • nurture our nascent youth group • embrace the needs and challenges of diverse communities • explore new ways of worship whilst recognising the traditions we hold to • enhance the daily processes of benefice life • continue the pastoral ministry to the elderly • build on the positive opportunities arising from the Covid-19 pandemic A note on the impact and implications of the Covid-19 pandemic The impact of the pandemic in the benefice has drawn us together positively to overcome the effects on worship, finances and the community. All our churches have been open almost as normal since mid-July with the exception of the November lockdown. The pattern of worship is virtually unchanged and there has been fruitful augmentation via live and online broadcasts and lay-led prayer and reflective podcasts. Financially and administratively we have managed well, continuing to meet the demands of paying our way relatively well. 3 Our Mission Action Plan (MAP) clearly focuses on Bishop Robert’s three central priorities for the diocese: growing in prayer, making new disciples, serving the people of Devon with joy. Based on our current strengths, our benefice priorities have been revised in the last few months and have identified and can effect: increased use of lay-led services for the unchurched; more extensive work in offering hospitality across community groups and specifically younger people. The full MAP is given in Appendix A. The United Benefice of Dartmouth and Dittisham is in the rural South Hams district of the County of Devon. Dartmouth is at the estuary with 3 churches: St Clement’s at the top of the town, St Petrox at the mouth of the river and St Saviour’s in the centre of the lower town; Dittisham’s St George’s Church is less than three miles (seven by road) upstream. The benefice is in the Totnes Deanery of the Diocese of Exeter. On the west bank of the Dart, the benefice has historic seafaring connections. The area is a buzzing hive of activity especially in the summer months. It is popular with boat owners, retirees, second home owners and tourists, and has Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty status. Much of Dartmouth and Dittisham are in Conservation Areas. Dartmouth town centre has some impressive 14th century buildings, interesting narrow streets and a wide variety of shops, small businesses, pubs, hotels and restaurants. In contrast there are expanding modern developments at the top of the valley. Dittisham is a pretty riverside village. This rural parish has two pubs: The Red Lion at the top of the village which has a shop and Post Office and a riverside pub, The Ferry Boat Inn. From March to October, there is a wonderful seafood cafe, The Anchorstone. There is no doubt that the town of Dartmouth and the village of Dittisham ‘punch way above their weight’ in delivering annually a number of nationally acclaimed events. There is an annual regatta for Dittisham and the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. Other annual events adding to the animated life the benefice include Music Festival, Food Festival, Shakespeare Week, Crab Festival and Candlelit Dartmouth. Our churches make active and lively contributions on these occasions. The Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth has a notable impact on the community and is the largest employer in the area. The Royal Naval presence is a powerful one, strengthening the church community and its congregations. The benefice maintains a strong and fruitful relationship with the college and its chaplains. Joint services for Remembrance Sunday, D-Day commemorations and other days of national celebration are especially important. Naval cadets are frequently detailed to assist in tasks keeping church grounds and buildings neat and tidy. On occasions some will attend church services privately. Young Officers at BRNC 4 Other employment in the area is largely based around tourism, fishing, sailing, river services and agriculture. Much of the work is seasonal and often low-paid. Schools include: Dartmouth Academy (4-16 years), part of Education South West centred on Kingsbridge Community College, primary education includes St John the Baptist RC, Blackawton and Stoke Fleming Primary Schools. Churston Grammar is in Torbay across the river; all have good or outstanding Ofsted reports. School catchments are socially diverse. There are breakfast, after school clubs and a Children’s Centre on the same campus as the Academy. There are two pre-schools. Clergy (by invitation) provide input to school Dartmouth Academy assemblies especially at festivals and the schools hold Christmas carol and nativity services in our churches. Excellent sporting facilities include: a modern sports centre, indoor swimming pool, golf course, football pitch, sailing, boating, water sports, fishing and walking. We are on the South West Coastal Path and Dartmoor National Park is 30 minutes drive away. The Flavel is an outstanding modern, arts centre in Dartmouth housing cinema, theatre, library, commercial exhibition space, meeting rooms and a cafe. Dartmouth Museum, run by volunteers, has displays particularly of the area's seafaring history. Regular bus services run within Dartmouth and to larger towns and cities. Road links are good, the A38 is 30 minutes away. Totnes (20 minutes drive) is on the Paddington mainline from Penzance and the Bristol mainline which joins the west coast line. A new health and wellbeing centre is due to be built and the current Dartmouth Medical Practice is located in the town centre; the closest general hospital is in Torbay. Car and passenger ferries cross the River Dart with links to bus services. Several local charities care for folk in need including Dartmouth Caring, Dartmouth United Charities, the Food Bank and Community Hub. The area presents significant socio- economic differences with considerable deprivation in places while some property is amongst the most expensive nationally. Towards the top of the valley the largest social housing estate in the South Hams accommodates over half of the population. Dartmouth’s population is around 5600, Dittisham’s around 370. A fair proportion of residential properties across the benefice are holiday homes. The Community of Faith The Eucharist and mission are at the heart of our identity and as a community of faith we anticipate encountering God through Word, Sacrament and Service.