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Home , Audrey Elkington, Blisland, Diocese of Truro, Helland, Pendrift, St Mabyn

Camel Side Cluster of Churches. Profile 2017 North

River Camel at Shell Woods

The Venerable . Archdeacon of

The Camel Side Cluster of the two benefices of ‘ with Temple, and ’ and ‘ with St and ’.

Our vision for the Diocese of is to “Discover God’s Kingdom, Grow the Church. To help to achieve this vision, we have been focussing on three strategic areas since 2013; Discipleship, Ministry and Mission. More recently, our development plan “Confidence in the Gospel” has given us specific aims and priorities for the years 2016-2018, relating to Praying, Growing, Leading and Supporting. (www.trurodiocese.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Diocesan-Development-Plan-May- 2016.pdf) It will be in this context which the new appointee will serve - supported by our ‘Never Alone’ policy, the continuation of ‘Accompanied Ministry Development’, and our desire to root and ground all that we do in prayer. Bishop Tim’s move to become the Bishop at Lambeth in August 2017, results in a time of transition for the Diocese. We are committed to continuing our mission and priorities during this period, and look forward to all that a new Diocesan Bishop will bring to our working together.

The deanery of Trigg Minor and Bodmin is located in the archdeaconry of Bodmin. Six clusters of are situated between the north and south coasts; centred around Bodmin town, and with the smaller towns of , and to either side. The ‘Camel Side Cluster’ is currently an informal arrangement of two small benefices on the western edge of (Blisland with Temple, St Breward and Helland; and St Tudy with and Michaelstow). The parishes have been working together since summer 2016, and in this time have been served by the same . This is an arrangement we would propose to formalise during the time of the new appointee, making her/him rector of the new united benefice.

The Ven Audrey Elkington. 01208 892811 [email protected]

River Camel Tributary, Down

Camel Side Cluster of Churches

ONE Cluster linked by a river and united by doing great things for GOD

Joint Profile Come to Cornwall; amongst our Cluster is one church with the tallest tower and another the highest church in the County (nearer to God!), where on occasions you might experience a little taste of

Heaven on earth.

We see this appointment as a wonderful, challenging and possibly unique opportunity for a Vicar to bring fresh ideas and invigorate our newly enlarged Cluster (we came together in July 2016). We have already started our journey and have held uplifting Joint Cluster services in January, May and June. We feel we have the talent and energy but need sensitive leadership and direction.

We seek to appoint a Vicar with enthusiasm, vision, and a real ‘can do’ spirit, to lead and work with us on our journey of faith and growth. We seek someone who will join our family and muck in with us as we minister in a growing and evolving Cluster. Someone who will extend opportunities for the laity to grow allowing them to support and serve you as the Vicar, the community and God in a spiritual, pastoral and administrative way.

We feel that church is not just about attending Services. We would hope that our new Vicar would ensure that everyone feels that they belong and that the church is relevant to the whole community. Spiritual guidance is needed for all sorts and conditions of parishioners and visitors, whether or not they are regular, or occasional, attendees. The variety of worship in the different churches requires a flexible approach.

We recognise our fragility, but our spirit is great and we offer in return all that we are: welcoming, dedicated, quirky, collaborative, supportive and flexible.

This ministry could be used as an exemplar for other enlarging Clusters, which is increasingly becoming the way forward across the country.

Are you the one to help us fulfil God’s purpose in this place?

FRIEND you have come to this church, leave it not without a prayer. NO man entering a house ignores him who dwells in it this is the HOUSE OF GOD and HE is here. PRAY then to HIM who loves you & bids you welcome and waits your greeting GIVE thanks for those who in the past ages built this place to his glory PRAISE GOD for HIS gifts of beauty in painting and building in handicraft and music. ASK the blessing of GOD on all who worship here.

Views across the Camel Side Cluster of the two benefices of ‘Blisland with Temple, St Breward and Helland’ and ‘St Tudy with St Mabyn and Michaelstow’ from St Breward Church tower.

Views towards Blisland, Temple and Helland St Mabyn centre of picture

St Tudy lower centre of picture Michaelstow in the fold of the ground

River below Blisland Church.

Psalm 46 THERE is a river where streams make glad the city of GOD. The Holy dwelling places of the MOST HIGH.

Cluster Location and Features The Camel Side Cluster of Churches is situated stretching westwards of Bodmin Moor with the River Camel (Cornish for crooked river) running through the middle of the Cluster on its way to the sea at . , at the heart of the cluster, is the starting point of the Camel trail, an 18 mile cycle path created from the old railway line, the 4th oldest line in the country that once ran alongside the River Camel linking St Breward with the towns of Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow. Granite was taken out from the quarries by the railway to the docks at Padstow and sand brought in for the farms.

The towns of Camelford, Wadebridge and Bodmin along with the highest point in Cornwall, Brown Willy on the moor, frame the Cluster. Historically, the Cluster has its roots in farming along with slate and granite quarrying. The last remaining quarry is in St Breward which supplied the granite for London Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Princess Diana Memorial and the Seed at Eden.

To the north of the Cluster there are some of the most spectacular beaches in Cornwall, including the award winning surfing beach at and the water sports village of Rock, with Padstow just a short ferry ride across the Camel. The North coast footpaths offer miles of incredible scenery for walkers, riders and golf enthusiasts. In Blisland there is the beauty of Lavethan Wood owned by the Woodland Trust. The spiritual expanse of Bodmin moor offers wonderful wide open spaces for walking, riding and exploring the many Neolithic settlements as well as time for contemplation and reflection.

Over the past few years the people of our Cluster have participated in the filming of Poldark and Doc Martin with the Doc getting ‘married’ in St Mabyn Church and his baby ‘born’ in the Old Inn next to St Breward Church. Poldark’s house is just outside St Breward on the moor and during filming his horse is stabled at a local livery.

The roads between the Churches are very much country roads but are very ‘driveable’ and far from crowded, though subject to the odd tractor of course! The A30 going west makes Truro, the county town, easily accessible at about 50 minutes away with its Cathedral and home of the Diocesan Office. Going east Plymouth, Exeter and the M5 are around an hour away, with Bristol a further 50 minutes. There is a regular train service to Bristol and London from Bodmin Parkway and flights to London, Manchester and abroad from Airport.

For the brave, and the fit, there is always National Cycle Route 3, the Cornish Way, that runs through the Cluster on its way from Land’s End to Bristol!

Bodmin moor looking towards Roughtor and Brown Willy Maps Parishes of Blisland with Temple, Helland, St Breward, St Mabyn and St Tudy with Michaelstow Cluster Boundaries

W TEMPLE

Location of Cluster in Cornwall

Our Churches

Blisland church is dedicated to St Protus and St Hyacinth, two brothers martyred in the late 3rd century in Rome. The Church dates from the Norman times. The Church building was extensively enlarged in the 15th and 18th centuries. In the 19th century major restoration was undertaken to restore the surviving medieval works that had survived. The tower contains six bells, re-cast in 1790 and first rung on Christmas Day of that year. Sir John Betjeman wrote and broadcast that ‘Of all the churches of the West I have seen I think Blisland is the most beautiful’.

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Temple St Catherine’s Church, built in the 12th century, is located in the tiny hamlet of Temple and stands on the site of the Templar Chapel. The Knights Templar built their church as a refuge on the moor to accommodate travellers who passed over this wild stretch of country on their way to the Holy Land. The church has no electricity and retains much of its original character and atmosphere.

Helland Parish Church is dedicated to St Helena, mother of Constantine. The Church is pre Norman, the stonework is probably of the 13th century. The plain font is thought to be 700 years old. The banners which hang in the church were made by the children of the village illustrating their favourite bible stories. The church has one main bell and eight carillon bells.

St Breward Parish Church, dedicated to St Branwalader, is a substantial building of the Norman period; the south aisle and western tower were added in the 15th century. The Church is the highest in Cornwall. An ancient Celtic cross in the graveyard dates from the pre-Norman period. The tower is of three stages, 54ft high, and dominates the landscape over a large area.

St Mabyn Church, dedicated to Saint Mabena, was built late in the 15th century, is a Grade 1 listed, with a font of Norman table top type. The register dates from 1652. The building is slate, with the arcades each having seven four centred arches of granite. The tower of three stages is the tallest in Cornwall, and has a ring of eight bells.

St Tudy is dedicated to the beatified 5th century Breton abbot Tudy or Tudic. The present church of St. Tudy was enlarged in the late 15th and early 16th century; the first church here being just a nave and chancel. There is evidence of Norman work on the north side of the nave. A 10th century coped stone (an early type of tombstone) was found in the churchyard and shows that this was an important early Christian site. The tower of three stages is 64 feet high and has 6 bells

Michaelstow is named after St Michael’s holy place where there is an ancient holy well in the graveyard. St Michael and All Angels has been a Chapel at Ease since 2013. Church origins are possibly 13th century; the Church was restored in 1826 and further in 1870-1889. The tower is 56 feet in height; consisting of three stages and finished with battlements and pinnacles.

Church Statistics

Parish Population Acreage St Breward Vicarage St Tudy Vicarage Benefice/Benifice to Churches to Churches Distance Time Distance Time Blisland with 666 7243* 3 miles 10 mins 3.5 miles 11 mins Temple 6 miles 18 mins 7.5 miles 24 mins Helland 173 2483 4.5 miles 12 mins 3 miles 10 mins St Breward 923 9415* 1 mile 3 mins 3 miles 11 mins St Mabyn 628 4101 5 miles 15 mins 3 miles 8 mins St Tudy with 837 4914 3 miles 10 mins - - Michaelstow 4 miles 9 mins 2.5 miles 7 mins Totals 3227 28156 Contact the Archdeacon for details regarding housing. *Much of St Breward, Blisland and Temple is open moor land to the east.

Parish Electoral Attendance Occasional Offices Financial Summary Benefice/Benifice Roll Average 2016 average over past % MMF paid 2016 2016 5 yrs. Blisland and Temple 25 16 1 Baptism 100% 2 Marriages 3 Funerals Helland 24 12 Adults 6 Funerals 80% 2 Children St Breward 50 22 Adults 4 Baptisms 100% 2 Children 2 Marriages 7 Funerals St Mabyn 53 28 4 Baptisms 100% 2 Marriages 4 Funerals St Tudy with 35 25 2 Baptisms 100% Michaelstow 9 8 4 Marriages 5 Funerals Totals 196 115 46 -

School Statistics Pupil Blisland Temple Helland St Breward St Mabyn St Tudy Michaelstow Numbers School School Church school Church school Pre 6 - - 9 7 20 - School (Private) Primary 40 - - 48 52 59 - All Cluster schools along with Senior schools at Camelford, Wadebridge and Bodmin are rated at least Good by OFSTED. There are 6TH Form Colleges at Bodmin, Wadebridge and Truro.

St Tudy and St Breward schools contribution to the ‘Giants Trail’.

Pattern of Worship The anticipated pattern, with the aid of Worship Leaders and others. Currently there are 7 worship leaders, others in training, 11 retired , a non-stipendiary minister (Andrew Lewis) and a non-stipendiary priest in training (Steve Williams).

Church 1st Week 2nd Week 3rd Week 4TH Week Blisland Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Temple Sunday 4.30pm (winter 3.30pm) Family service Helland Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Sunday 11.00am Holy Communion Morning Prayer Morning Prayer

St Breward Sunday 11.10am Sunday 11.10am Sunday 11.10am Sunday 11.10am Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion

Friday 3.30pm Messy Church St Mabyn Sunday 10.00am Sunday 10.00am Sunday 10.00am Sunday 10.00am Praise Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion

Tuesday 9.30am Tuesday 9.30am Tuesday 9.30am Tuesday 9.30am Prayer for village Prayer for village Prayer for village Prayer for village

Monday 10.20am Monday 10.20am Open the Book Open the Book

Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am Matins Matins Matins Matins St Tudy Sunday 11.05am Sunday 11.05am Sunday 11.05am Sunday 11.05am Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Family Service

Monday 9.10 am Monday 9.10 am Monday 9.10 am Monday 9.10 am Collective Worship Open the Book Collective Worship Open the Book for the School for the School

Tuesday 5.30 pm Tuesday 5.30 pm Tuesday 5.30 pm Tuesday 5.30 pm Short service Short service Short service Short service Michaestow Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Sunday 9.30am Morning Prayer Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion

What else we do  Messy Church and Open the Book.  Crib Services  Nativity displays  Make palm crosses  Stay and Play, Baby and Toddler groups.  Services in schools and in church for children.  Thy Kingdom Come prayer stations

(wall, candle, clay, stones, burdens).  Pilgrimage walks (in Cornwall and Camino Way).  Coffee Mornings for fund raising.  Bible study, meditation groups, work and worship with other faiths.  House group, Pilgrim grow stage.  Bible Society and Scripture Union.  Lenten study group.  Agape Supper and Start courses.  Labyrinth for schools and community.  Music and prayer groups.  Tower bell and Hand bell ringers.

 Concerts (often free, with refreshments).  Church, Village and Garden Fetes.  Theatre productions, film shows, auction of promises.  Regular tea parties, choirs, organists.  Safari suppers, Soup and Sweet lunches.  Easter Dawn Service and choral concerts.

 Samara appeal.  Churches open all year  Harvest Festival, St Pratt’s, Mothering Sunday, Rogation walk, Remembrance Sundays, Christmas Carols, Christingle, War Memorial services, Easter and Christmas Fayres.  Carnivals.

Camel Side Cluster Amenities Transport A local bus service runs through St Breward, St Mabyn and St Tudy twice a day linking Camelford, Wadebridge and Bodmin plus transport to Secondary schools. St Breward Community Bus goes to Truro twice a month and Wadebridge once, with the bus also serving Blisland and St Mabyn. There are local taxi services and an Age UK bus service.

Education Primary schools in Blisland, St Breward, St Mabyn and St Tudy . Community Bus Senior schools in Camelford, Wadebridge and Bodmin. 6th forms in Wadebridge and Bodmin. Truro College served by coach with an annex currently being built at Callywith in Bodmin.

Entertainment, Sport and Clubs Short Mat Bowls, Yoga, Toddler group, Tai Chi, Table tennis, Rug Rats Workshop, Quiz and bingo, Darts teams, Drama, Church music group, Choir, Senior and Junior Silver Band, Tower and Hand bell ringers, Youth Clubs, Country Dancing, History Groups, Gardening Clubs, Women’s Institute, Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Young Farmers, Messy Church, Film Club, Football Club. Reflexology, Art, Fishing, Camera, Walkers, Chess, Mobile library, Wood turners, Radio Cornwall, Snooker, Village Halls, Band Room, Churches, Chapels, horse riding.

Places to eat and drink Blisland Inn (Real Ale), St Breward Old Inn (Award winning and highest in Cornwall), St Mabyn Inn (proper country pub) and St Tudy Inn (top 50 Gastro pub), Snail’s Pace Café (solar powered), Mobile fish and chips, Haywood Cider Farm. The Blisland Inn Halls Blisland: Village and Institute Halls. Helland: Village Hall. St Breward: Village and Memorial Halls, Band Room, Football Club, Brownies and Guides Hut. St Mabyn: Village Hall. St Tudy: Village Hall and Clink. Michaelstow: Methodist Hall.

Health Helland Village Hall Doctors’ surgeries: Camelford, , Bodmin and St Breward. Hospitals: Truro, Plymouth and Bodmin minor injuries. Dentists: Wadebridge and Bodmin. Defibrillators in the Villages.

Communications and Services St Mabyn defibrillator Parish Magazines, , Superfast Broadband, Computer repairs. Village builders, gardening, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and photographers. Church and Village websites, email groups, and mobile hairdressers.

Emergency Services Fire: Bodmin and Wadebridge Ambulance: Camelford, Bodmin and Cornwall Air Ambulance. Police: Bodmin, Camelford and Village PCSO St Tudy Clink

Contact Details The individual church web sites contain their Statements of Needs and Accounts. The Ven Audrey Elkington Archdeacon of Bodmin 01208 892811 Email: [email protected]

Blisland with Temple www.blisland.info/church Charles Whitehead PCC (stand in Chair) 01208 851990 and 07785 550032 Email: [email protected] Helland Church Warden: Jenny 01208 75691 Email: [email protected] St Breward www.stbrewardchurch.co.uk Church Treasurer and Co-Ordinator Caroline Hooper 01208 851315 Email: [email protected] Church Wardens: Jeremy Hooper 01208 851315 (as above) Paddy McShee 01208 850435 Email: [email protected] St Mabyn www.stmabynchurch.co.uk Church Wardens: Carole Grigg 01208 841276 Email: [email protected] Rob Turner 01208 851832 Email: [email protected] St Tudy www.sttudywithmichaelstowchurch.org.uk PCC Secretary: Ginny Straugheir 01208 852054 Email: [email protected] PCC Vice-Chairman: Mickey Madden 01208 851699 Email: [email protected] PCC Treasurer: John Mardon 01208 851541 Email: [email protected] Michaelstow Deputy Church Warden: Andrew Button 01208 850200 Email: [email protected]

A Message from Bishop Tim

The Church of , as so often in its history, is facing a period of change in which we are being asked “to proclaim the Gospel afresh to a new generation”. In the Diocese of Truro we are responding to these challenges by investing in mission-focused initiatives that help us to discover God’s Kingdom, grow the Church, and create flourishing communities.

The ordained ministry will continue to play a crucial role in the delivery of these initiatives, and therefore we are keen to have priests working in the Diocese who are at the forefront of meeting these challenges and achieving this vision.

With this in mind we are seeking to encourage and invite to work and live with us those priests who:

 are joyful at the demands of the Gospel and live convinced of the importance of hope. We are called to be a joyful and hopeful people.

 can work flexibly and are willing to be adaptable in their methods and approaches and seek partnership with those who work more widely to flourishing communities.

 are innovative and imaginative and strive to be creative and willing to risk failure in order to learn.

 are clear and realistic about their own need to seek repentance regularly and who also look to be those who act as signs and symbols of the reconciling love of God.

 know the value of journeying with others, seeking always to be a pilgrim who learns and grows alongside fellow-travellers.

 nurture and enable a sense of discipleship and vocation in themselves and others.

 live always striving to be people of integrity and authenticity as they seek to become imitators of Christ.

 are eager to see growth in all its dimensions and are aware and excited by the dynamic reality that we are always changing and that change brings opportunities and fresh challenges.

 are convinced of the necessity and virtue of working with others so that they never work alone. In other words they are alert to collaboration with all who work alongside them, clergy and lay and will work to forge good relations with other denominations to further the missio dei (God’s mission).

 are resilient in personal terms with a well-developed and rigorous prayer discipline, mindful of the need to balance their life and work and also resilient and aware of the joys and tensions of being part of the .

Bishop Tim

May the road rise up to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the sun shine warm upon your face May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again May God keep you in the hollow of His Hand