The Benefice of Buckden & the Offords Parish Profile 2014

THE BENEFICE OF BUCKDEN & THE OFFORDS

PARISH PROFILE 2014

St Mary’s, Buckden All Saints, Offord Cluny

St Mary’s The Parish Church of All Saints, Offord Cluny Buckden St Peter’s Church Offord D’Arcy www.stmarysbuckden.org.uk www.allsaintsoffordcluny.wordpress.com facebook: St Marys Buckden facebook: All Saints Offord twitter: @A1churchbuckden

Introduction to the Benefice

Formed in 2006, the Benefice of Buckden and The Offords consists of two rural parishes which are situated 4 miles to the north of St Neots and 3 miles south of Huntingdon, but separated by the River Great Ouse and the East Coast main line railway from London to Scotland with Buckden situated to the west, and Offord D’Arcy and Offord Cluny to the east. http://www.bing.com/maps/#Y3A9NTIuMjQ3MDA3fi0wLjI3MjA0NyZsdmw9MTImc3R5PXIm ZW89MCZxPVBFMTklMjA1 Network Rail is planning to replace the level-crossing, which currently lies between Buckden and The Offords, with a road bridge. In theory, this should improve access between the parishes. However, if plans change, there could be an impact on the parish boundaries in the future. Between the villages of Buckden and Offord there are a number of houses in addition to a popular riverside marina which includes weekend and holiday lodges. The former granary and flour mill as well as an adjacent boat yard, have been converted into residential apartments and park homes. Our Benefice was formed from two very different parishes, in terms of size and methods of worship. Now searching for our third incumbent as a Benefice, we have grown together, support one another, remain united in a common purpose but still retain very strong parish identities. We are looking for an incumbent who will recognize and value our differences, who will lead us into deeper Christian discipleship in our daily lives, and by journeying with us as we learn to identify our gifts so we can play a fuller part in the ministry of the Church.

Vision for the future

• To be visible as churches central and relevant to village life • To attract newcomers to the congregations and be welcoming to all who visit our churches • To further develop our use of new technology Websites, facebook and twitter accounts are already established for both parishes. At St Mary’s we hope to be able to install wifi to increase the usefulness of the Living Stones Room as a meeting room / internet cafe for rent and to be able to record and/or stream services for those unable to attend church due to infirmity or location. • To restore some of the older features of the church At St Mary’s we have a beautiful organ which is around 100 years old and has been lovingly patched up over the years. We hope to be able to undertake a full refurbishment of the organ will be applying for heritage grant to finance this work. • To continue our ministry with children and families, pastoral care and music At St Mary’s these areas have been developed over a number of years, are generally run by lay members and are to some extent self-sustaining.

1. The Benefice courses, a marina and associated leisure centre on the River Great Ouse, a large The Parish of Buckden nature reserve to the south and, at Grafham Water, sailing, off road cycling and an activity centre. Buckden has an historic centre which is a conservation area with over 60 listed buildings and a scheduled ancient monument, Buckden Towers, the remains of a Bishop's palace complex. Catherine of Aragon was held The village of Buckden is located there under house arrest before being approximately 20 miles to the north-west transferred to Kimbolton where she died of Cambridge and 5 miles from the market in 1534. towns of St Neots and Huntingdon. Buckden lies on, and is divided by, the A1 trunk road, two miles south of its intersection with the A14 trunk road. Buckden thus has excellent road connectivity to the nearby centres of Peterborough, Cambridge, Bedford, St Neots and Huntingdon and to major regions of East Anglia, the Midlands and the North. The nearby East Coast main The population of Buckden is currently line has railway stations at St Neots and around 3000 (living in about 1500 Huntingdon, with an Intercity station at dwellings, a 6.5% increase from 2001). Peterborough. A bus service connects There are over 100 private businesses Buckden with Huntingdon and St Neots. based in the village, including a private stage academy, but there are no industrial Buckden has a wide range of facilities and units other than a few premises west of more than forty clubs and societies. The the A1. The economic population is mainly High Street has shops, one with a Post split between these and commuters to Office counter, two hotels and a pub. Near London and surrounding towns and cities. the village green there are more shops, a The demographic profile from the 2001 pharmacy, a primary school and a day Census and recent house price nursery. The village also has a doctors' information from the Land Registry below surgery, a dentist, a care home, alms indicate more people over 65 and greater houses, three churches and a major wealth than in the surrounding area. recreational centre based around the Village Hall. This houses the Library, a play group, the Parish office, a licensed Village Club a large hall and multipurpose rooms for hire. It has a five acre playing field, a sports pavilion, a children's play area and premises let to a bowls and a tennis club.

Buckden is surrounded by farm land and nearby recreational facilities include a network of footpaths, woods, three golf

The Parish of Offord Darcy with Offord by local people, an equestrian centre, an Cluny established hairdresser, a local shop, Ofsted inspected child minders and two public houses. A number of the people commute to London or more local towns and cities. 2. Church Buildings

St Mary’s Buckden– History and Buildings Housing - 565 dwellings with a majority owner occupied but with a number of Housing Association and privately owned rented properties, which includes several bungalows dedicated to the needs of elderly and less able tenants.

St Mary’s, as the parish church, lies at the heart of the lively village of Buckden. The building is grade I listed and of historical importance. Buckden Church is first recorded in 1086, in the Domesday Book High Street, Offord Cluny although no traces of the original Saxon The population of the two villages church survive. The church is set against numbers approximately 1350 of which it’s Buckden Towers, the former Palace of the estimated 300 are of school age or in their Bishops of Lincoln. The structure of the infancy. The number of residents who are church today is almost unchanged from of retirement age is approximately 250. when it was rebuilt between 1435 and 1440.

The fabric of the church building is generally in good repair for a building of its age. We benefit from much engineering expertise within the congregation and close links with local builders and tradesmen. The quinquennial

The Horseshoe, Offord Darcy inspection is now due and we have recently appointed a new Church Employment – Along with sizeable arable Architect who will complete this work. farms, Offord Cluny and Darcy host a The chancel roof is in need of repair and number of small businesses with many the Church Commissioners have residents being self employed. There are confirmed that they are liable for the cost two motor retailers, both owned and run of this work.

There are six bells which range in age been created at the back of the church. from the beginning of the 16th century to This allows a greater flexibility of seating 1997. In 1997 the bell frame was options including a carpeted area for use renewed and the ringing chamber by families with young children. A small repositioned to form a gallery into the room at the rear of the church has also body of the church. The bells are rung been refurbished for use as a comfortable before the main Sunday service and on quiet room or a small meeting room. special occasions, including weddings both at St Mary’s and at the neighbouring catholic church. The organ is a Nicholson and Lord, 3 manual and pedal board, tracker action instrument.

The churchyard is closed and is managed and maintained by the Parish Council. A small area is reserved for burial of ashes. Burials take place in a separate cemetery located in the village. Additional maintenance of the churchyard is carried out by volunteers from the congregation.

The vicarage is situated adjacent to St Mary’s Church. Built in 1981, it is a 4 bedroom house with 2 reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom, utility room. In 2006 it was extended to include a large office / For many years the church had no rooms meeting room with separate toilet for group meetings and no running water facilities and separate access. It has also or toilet facilities. A project to build an been refurbished during this vacancy. extension was launched in 2004 and, after great generosity of money, time and expertise from members of the congregation, the Living Stones Room (with kitchen, toilets and underfloor heating) was opened in September 2011 winning three construction industry awards for physical achievement, value & heritage. We are very proud of our Living Stones Room which not only provides well-appreciated facilities but is a beautiful area for church events & for hire.

St Mary’s can seat around 300. In recent years an area with moveable pews has

All Saints Offord Cluny – History and The altar table in the Sanctuary is a good Buildings example of the Reformation-Jacobean period. The four historic bells (three from 1620 and the fourth from 1842 are no longer rung but chimed by the use of ropes attached to the clappers. The large brass bell which can be seen on the west end screen, formerly hung on Offord’s first school, established in 1773 by the Reverend Dr. John Newcombe.

On the North wall hang two great boards setting out the Ten Commandments. History: All Saints is a good example of These date back to 1788 and also hung Gothic Style with Victorian and previously displayed in the School. The contemporary restorations, the Jacobean Rector shall be expected to become a furnishings are excellent, and parts of the Trustee of the Dr. Newcombe Trust which building date back to the 13th century, still dispenses annual grants and bursaries this church has a charming and sacred to the youth of the village for educational intimacy. purposes.

A church building in Offord Cluny is All Saints Church is honoured to have mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and association with the 35-635 Pathfinder plans are already underway for large Squadron Royal Air Force. In the South celebrations in 2015 to celebrate the East corner there is a Chapel dedicated to 800th anniversary of All Saints Church, the Airmen who gave their lives for others which we trust will captivate the during and after the Second World War. imagination of our villagers. The date has The beautiful stained glass window on the been calculated using various publications south wall stands in their memory along and from a recorded list of past Rectors with the Pathfinder Standard hung in the displayed in All Saints. Chapel in perpetuity.

The Nave boasts a fine angelic roof; the five carved figures all have hair bound with cross and diade.

The fabric of the Church is generally in St Peters churchyard is closed and is good repair but needs follow on maintained and managed by the Parish treatment for damp. A new heating Council. A significant project has been system was installed in 2013. The undertaken to fell a number of trees and quinquennial inspection is due this year. reconstruct a boundary wall. The Churchyard is managed by the Church 3. Church Administration & Finance and burials continue to take place, there is also a Garden of Remembrance for the St Mary’s – Administration & Finance interment of ashes. The PCC has a full complement of elected members with a turnover of St Peter’s Church Offord Darcy – History approximately 1/3 each year. There is a and Buildings treasurer, secretary, two churchwardens and two Deanery Synod representatives. The PCC meets monthly (except August and December) plus the APCM. There are sub-committees for buildings & facilities, finance, administration & communication, events and ministry.

A parish secretary is employed on a part- time basis. His duties include regular

As a redundant church, St Peter’s is preparation and photocopying of weekly managed by the Churches Conservation pewsheets, monthly newsletters and Trust, aided by a very successful and well service sheets. Photocopying facilities and established ‘Friends Group of St Peters a small desk are available. Church’ who provide a full calendar of Parish Administration is a developing area activities. The incumbent of the Benefice for St Mary’s. Two members of the will have some duties to perform, under congregation have recently completed an their constitution he/she is entitled to ALM in administration and a data attend and speak at committee and protection policy has been introduced. general meetings, but has no voting rights. Records are currently maintained in a In practice it is hoped that he/she would distributed and decentralised fashion. attend the AGM and any Church specific meetings. St Mary’s pays its Parish Share, employs a part-time parish secretary, a part-time There is currently in place permission for 6 cleaner for the Living Stones Room and services each calendar year and these will reimburses the incumbent’s expenses. be as diverse as Songs of Praise, Family

Services and Carols by Candlelight. Charity Surplus/ Year Giving Parish Payments Upkeep Loss on In 2013 the Friends had restored the End Income £ Share £ £ Costs £ year £ Offord d'Arcy war memorial which is a 2009 37,230.00 36,000.00 6,180.00 12,095.00 -2,182.00 2010 43,958.00 36,340.00 670.00 11,773.00 10,111.00 splendid stained glass window, and a 2011 46,434.00 36,850.00 70.00 13,531.00 6,906.00 brass plaque, there was a special service 2012 47,825.00 38,000.00 2,275.00 15,896.00 5,368.00 of re-dedication held. 2013 47,124.00 42,863.00 2,380.00 16,783.00 1,990.00 The challenge ahead is that we must maintain tight control of all spending, try

to extend our giving circle and influence 4. The Church as People the demands made on us for extra expenditure. St Mary’s Congregation The number on the electoral roll in 2013 was 123 (of whom 7 are non-resident). The usual Sunday attendance is around 75 adults and 12 children with the majority attending the 10.30am service.

Within the congregation of St Mary’s there is a wide variety of people of different interests, talents and ages. Although the age-range is weighted towards older people, we do also have a good number of families with children, many of whom are very much involved in All Saints’ – Administration & Finance the running of the church. We aim to The P.C.C. meet every month on the third have something for everybody and to Tuesday, and the fundraising committee achieve this we have a range of different normally meets ten times a year. church services, church groups and activities. The ‘Out and About’ is the church and village magazine and is published six times a year, the incumbent writes a welcome message and gives details of the upcoming services for the two months in question.

We have an ALM Administrator who is currently handling all registers, returns and administration in the Parish, working out of the Offord vestry. All Parish policies and documentation is up to date and reviewed yearly by the PCC.

We have a covenant with the Baptist Church, Offord Darcy and meet with them in ecumenical Songs of Praise services.

Charity Surplus/ Year Giving Parish Payments Upkeep Loss on End Income £ Share £ £ Costs £ year £ 2009 7,443 7,000 211 3,250 2,595 2010 7,053 7,250 241 3,123 2,627 There is a huge amount of talent within 2011 6,776 7,315 272 47 3,878 the congregation and a great willingness 2012 6,197 4,915 203 3,717 535 to help in many different ways. Several 2013 5,987 4,000 178 4,359 (1,800) people have completed ALM courses in music, administration, parish evangelism and pastoral care. A pastoral care co- ordinator has recently been appointed to

serve as a single point of contact for those families as well as older persons; other in need within the congregation. services are generally not attended by young people. People from neighbouring In addition to the services, there are villages attend our services. Apart from various house groups / small groups which the Family Services the numbers remain include bible study, quiet days, fellowship static. groups, Honeycomb (bereavement) group, 15+ (for teenagers), men’s Our congregation is in the main elderly breakfast, Sunday lunch group. which is why we actively promote the Christingle and Carols by Candlelight Junior Church takes place during the main th services in December, as they bring into service, except for the 4 Sunday when our churches many people who do not the main service is an all-age eucharist. visit at other times of the year. Preparation for confirmation, and for communion before confirmation, is We often hold occasional services for offered. A number of the children (key people who have moved away from stage 2) have been admitted to Offord, but still retain family connections communion before confirmation. here e.g. Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms and Services of Thanksgiving.

There is a Women’s Guild which meets each week on Tuesday in the Church Rooms, Offord Darcy. The first Tuesday of the month the incumbent conducts prayer and gives a short address.

5. The Church and the Community There is great enthusiasm for music within St Mary’s. We have a number of music Community in Buckden ALMs, a hymn-choosing team, organists, St Mary’s is central to village life in bell-ringers and also Angel Voices (our Buckden, ensuring that ALL villagers feel informal and all-age choir who help to welcome and part of the church whenever lead the worship in the all-age eucharist th they wish to be involved. The church is every 4 Sunday). open to all during daylight hours (CCTV All Saints’ Congregation provides security). As the Parish Church, it The number on the electoral roll in 2013 is a popular choice for weddings, baptisms was 43 (of whom 10% are non-resident). and funerals and hosts wider village The usual Sunday attendance is around events such as Christingle, Carol Service 21. and Remembrance Sunday Service.

There is a rota for members of the The Living Stones Room, in addition to congregation to read lessons and being a valuable church resource, is intercessions as well as a rota for cleaning available to hire and is used regularly by a and arranging flowers. yoga group. Saturday morning coffee & cakes in St Mary’s is a tradition that Family Services are attended by the started in 1991 (before there was running Uniformed Organisations and young water or washing–up facilities) and

welcomes villagers and visitors every St Mary’s also has links with Buckden Day week. Nursery and the Pre-School Nursery, who also visit church for the major festivals.

Communion is regularly taken to Hardwick Dene (home for the elderly). There are links with the chaplaincy teams at Littlehey Prison and at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. Friends In Deed is a group, set up by St Mary’s, to visit and help anyone in the village who is in need, perhaps because they are unwell, housebound, St Mary’s has a regular newsletter page in feeling lonely or new to the village. the Buckden Roundabout, a monthly Friends in Deed volunteers also run the magazine which is distributed within the Living Stones Cafe, in the Living Stones village. Members of St Mary’s Room on one Wednesday afternoon each congregation are involved in many other month. village activities thereby ensuring links with, for example, the school, the library, Buckden and District Churches Together the doctor’s surgery, the other churches. (BDCT) encompasses the Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and Baptist churches in Buckden and the surrounding area. The committee consists of the minister and lay representatives from each church, who meet quarterly and work together to organise a number of regular events such as Study Lunches (during lent and monthly), Good Friday Service, Pentecost Picnic (Buckden As a Church of England school, Buckden Towers), Christian Aid Week, CE Primary School, has very close links Remembrance Service (in St Mary’s), with St Mary’s. The incumbent is an ex- Village Carol Service (in St Mary’s). officio governor and additional foundation governors are elected by the PCCs of St Mary’s and of neighbouring villages Southoe and Diddington. The incumbent and other local clergy are involved with leading collective worship at the school. The whole school visits St Mary’s at various points during the year, including the major festivals of Easter, Harvest and Christmas and smaller groups of children are welcomed throughout the year for project work.

Community in The Offords The Village Hall Management Committee Mobility – Although there is a restricted arranges several social activities during bus service, the family car is the most the year, and there are also fundraising popular method of transport. There are events held in the Church Rooms. regular railway and long distance coach In recent years the separate Parish services from Huntingdon and St.Neots, Councils of Offord Darcy and Offord Cluny with Stansted and Luton airports within have been amalgamated and provide a reasonable driving distance. Taxi services strong driving force in the villages and are available locally as well as in truly support Church events. Huntingdon and St.Neots. Church Fundraising events - A small sub- Local Feelings - Offord is a community of committee of the PCC organise many and friendly residents willing to join in and various events, some typically village take part in various activities. A recreation annual events, which are well supported Ground has been achieved in Offord after and appreciated by the villagers. half a century of local effort. Activities are up and running with fund raising annual

Gala days and a successful Offord football Offord team. A cricket team is still in Primary development but the ground now boasts School a MUGA (multi use games area) which is Offord Primary is a proving popular. ‘community’ The Millennium Green is as the name primary school, suggests an open ‘green’ area with boasting excellent co-operation between children's play and adventure equipment staff and parents. The attendance is with areas for conserving wildlife, wild approximately 110. The children visit All flowers, unusual grasses, trees and Saints church for services at Christmas, shrubs. Easter and Harvest. Previous Rectors have taken great interest in the school and usually take assembly on a weekly basis. This is enjoyed by both the School and Church.

A close relationship is maintained with the head and the school is currently working towards their RE Mark.

There is also a very active and well supported after school club, Applepips the pre-school, and a breakfast club. Clubs Etc - There are many clubs and organizations in the villages including WI, Bowls, Allotment Association, Gardening Club, Youth Club, Offord Tots, Offord Womens Guild, Baptist Ladies Circle, Girl Guiding and Scouting, TOPs (The Offord Players), Yoga and Messy Church to name but a few.

6. Mission & Ministry

Annually there around 15-20 weddings The incumbent is currently assisted and and 15-20 baptisms across the Benefice, supported by several retired clergy, LLMs the majority being in Buckden. The and ALMs. There is strong involvement of number of funerals varies enormously. laity in all aspects of church life both However, the best estimate is about 20 to sacred and secular. An Open Ministry 25 annually with perhaps one third Meeting is held at St Mary’s every month including a service in church. The rest are when all are welcome to come and discuss generally held at one of the local / share ideas which are then publicised to crematoria. the wider congregation.

The variety of services and events in the Benefice reflects the wide tastes and preferences of the congregations.

In both churches full vestments are worn at Eucharist services.

The current pattern of services is as follows:-

Sunday Services W Buckden Offord Buckden Buckden 1 9.30 10.30 6pm BCP Family Family HC Service Eucharist 2 8am BCP 9.30 10.30 HC HC Family Eucharist 3 9.30 10.30 6pm Matins Family Evensong Eucharist 4 8am 9.30 10.30 7.30pm BCP HC HC Family Night Communi prayer Mission & Ministry in Buckden on (all- There is good lay participation within the age services; there is a rota of sidespersons, service) sacristans, readers, offertory, intercession 5 8am 9.30 10.30 leaders, crucifers, servers and nine people BCP HC HC Family Eucharist licensed to assist with chalice. There is a list of vergers to assist with weddings and Midweek BCPHC Buckden 9.30am Wednesdays funerals. Home Communion - offered to those unable to attend church due to infirmity. Outside of services, there are rotas of Hardwick Dene Care Home - monthly Communion cleaners and flower arrangers.

Teams from within the congregation organise various events and fund-raising activities throughout the year. These include regular annual and one-off events

which are open to all. One of the regular Mission & Ministry in The Offords fund-raising activities is an annual season Weddings and Funerals in Church in of Music Concerts which are held in the Offord have remained static at 4 each per church. One very successful event in 2013 year for the last three or four years. The was an “Open Gardens” day when many verger assists with the set up of the houses in the village opened their gardens church, registers and rehearsals etc. to the local community, and money was raised both for the church and for a local The Family Service is a strong Offord children's hospice. Other annual tradition. However, with declining fundraising events include an Auction and congregations we would welcome an a Safari Supper. incumbent open to exploring ways of regenerating this idea. We celebrate those Every month we select a chosen charity to members of the congregation who have a highlight and these 12 charities each birthday during the relevant month with receive a cash donation. Additional lighting of candles, singing of a special donations are made in times of particular birthday song and a gift of a Mars bar. It need and at Harvest, Remembrance is during Family Service that many special Sunday and Christingle. Support is given events are held; for example the Pet to local, national and international Service, Harvest Festival with donations charities. Individual members of the being given to the Salvation Army, the congregation often provide close links to annual Toy Service where gifts are specific charities. collected for distribution to the local council for disadvantaged children, and A box is kept in church to collect Mothering Sunday where daffodils are donations of food which are delivered to given to those Mothers present. Godmanchester Food Bank each week.

With our strong links to the Pathfinder We are a Fairtrade church and normally Squadron we value Remembrance Sunday hold Fairtrade stalls in February and as one of the most important services in October. We also collect ink cartridges the year. The service in Church is followed and milk bottle tops for recycling. by the laying of wreaths at the Offord Cluny War Memorial.

We encourage the attendance of families at services bearing in mind that they are the future of the church.

Mission statement for St Mary’s the 7. Personal qualities Parish Church of Buckden Ours is a busy and diverse Benefice which To be faithful to the call of God, as visible would suit a candidate with energy, drive and caring people of Jesus Christ. and vision. The candidate needs to be creative, flexible and sympathetic to Recognising that we are part of a broken diverse liturgical traditions. world, we seek: • To enable each of us to live out our We need an inspiring incumbent, a person faith in all we think, say and do of vision; someone who is committed to • To be a loving and inclusive church, the ecumenical traditions of our growing together in prayer, communities; someone who will continue fellowship and learning to grow our Benefice relationship with the • To be active in our neighbourhood, Deanery and take an active part in generous in hospitality and in Deanery, Chapter & Diocesan life. meeting the needs of those around us • To engage with the wider world, Good communication and organisational actively supporting those who work skills are essential. They must be able to to make it a better place. engage with children, leading collective worship at the schools as well as being a school governor, but work equally well Mission statement for All Saints, Offord with the elderly, the infirm and all those in Cluny between. Must have the ability to delegate and to encourage the Our mission is to be faithful to the call of development of all those involved in God; and to develop a caring community ministry. in both our congregation and the whole community. The many and varied talents within the congregations need to be used effectively, Vision Statement nurtured and appreciated. We want a • to be a warm, friendly, welcoming minister with a pastoral heart, who is church outgoing and hands-on but who is able to • to be individuals with a common delegate, where appropriate, all aspects purpose of ministry through encouragement and • to be faithful in worship training of the laity. • to move forward in fellowship, learning and pastoral care • to bring Christ's blessing to our community, offering support to all, especially those in need or sorrow.