Parish profile

The United Benefice of Bamford, Grindleford and Hathersage

Diocese of Derby

1 The United Benefice of Hathersage, Bamford with Derwent and Grindleford in the Hope Valley

We are praying that we may find someone who will serve us with joy, build us up in faith and lead us by example in loving obedience to our Saviour Jesus Christ.

Front cover photo by kind permission of Bernard Madden, taken on 9 February 2020 (the day Storm Ciara hit the UK) at the United Benefice Service led by Bishop Jack in Hathersage Church

2

Stanage Edge

Higger Tor

Ladybower Reservoir

3 Contents page

1 Information from Area Dean 4

2 Our New Incumbent - Priest in Charge of Hathersage, Bamford with Derwent and Grindleford 8

3 The United Benefice of Hathersage, Bamford with Derwent and Grindleford 9 3.1 Looking to the Future 9 3.2 Present Position 9

4 Benefice Mission Action Plan 10

5 Benefice Opportunities 10

6 Life in the Benefice 11

7 The Parish of Bamford and Derwent 12 7.1 Our Parish Church - St John the Baptist 12 7.2 Our Church Life and Services 12 7.3 Our Visitors and Local Community 13 7.4 Bamford Primary School 14 7.5 Our Ecumenical Links 14

8 The Parish of Grindleford 15 8.1 Our Parish Church - St Helen's 15 8.2 Our Church Life and Services 16 8.3 Our Visitors and Local Community 16 8.4 Grindleford Junior School 16 8.5 Our Ecumenical Links 16

9 The Parish of Hathersage 17 9.1 Our Parish Church - St Michael and All Angels 17 9.2 Our Church Life and Services 18 9.3 Festivals and Other Events 18 9.4 Our Visitors and Local Community 18 9.5 Our Fellowship and Missions Support 19 9.6 Hathersage Primary School 19 9.7 Our Ecumenical Links 20

10 The Vicarage 21

11 Contacts 21

12 Useful Websites 21

Appendix 1: Services of Worship in 2019 22 Appendix 2: Financial Statements 2019 23

4 1. Information from the Area Dean

An Introduction by Rev’d Colin Pearson Area Dean, The Peak Deanery Diocese of Derby

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in the post of Priest in Charge for the benefice of Hathersage with Bamford (and Derwent) and Grindleford, Diocese of Derby. I hope the following introduction is helpful as you read the profile and consider your application.

This is an exciting and interesting opportunity arriving at an important time of transition. In 2015, Derby Diocese established a renewed understanding of deaneries as a key strategic place for growth and mission through greater collaboration and partnership. Strategic deployment to maximise opportunities is key to unlocking the potential. Our aim is to build a shared response to the challenges of being church in our time, a community of churches sharing a common purpose and a sense of interdependence from where the pooling of wisdom, gifts and resources flourish.

Bishop Libby, whom we welcomed as our new Diocesan Bishop in May 2019, is working with colleagues to develop a strategic vision for the diocese which we anticipate emerging during the course of this year.

Churches are in the midst of difficult times with the rural church acutely feeling the sharp edge of the struggle . Models of ministry need to adapt to the changing needs and opportunities around us in order to proclaim the gospel afresh for each generation. Consequently, conversations between the diocese, deanery and parishes are leading us to an emerging future vision for the Hope Valley into which this appointment fits.

The Role This is a full time appointment as Priest in Charge of three churches in the Hope Valley, the United Benefice of Hathersage with Bamford (and Derwent) and Grindleford with particular responsibility to provide strategic leadership to the benefice during a period of exploration.

Research informs us that leadership in one church, either lay or ordained, leads to growth particularly in rural contexts. An understanding of this model has been captured by the term ‘Focal Ministry’. I use the term here purely for ease of reference but want to avoid ‘focal’ being interpreted as mission endeavour galvanising solely around leadership, rather leadership galvanising the people around mission. Our aim, as Bishop Libby considers the vision for the diocese, is to breathe life and energy into parishes and let a creative conversation shape an outcome which supports each of the three parishes. We are therefore looking for the successful candidate, with others, to develop the conversation in the benefice around a clear focus in leadership within each village community.

5 The express aim is to grow each worshipping congregation. The post-holder will maintain overall responsibility for the three parishes and offer strategic leadership across the whole benefice. In time, we hope this will lead to empowering the laity so that they can feel more confident in providing a focal lead and link to the community. Our anticipation is that this will be achieved by local consultation and support from the diocese and its officers. Led by the Spirit, we want to give freedom for the local and diocesan conversation to work this out together as thinking develops and plans unfold.

The Wider Hope Valley The recently appointed half time house-for-duty Priest in Charge in the neighbouring benefice of Hope, Castleton and Bradwell is tasked with the oversight of that benefice in a similar way; looking to identify opportunities for leadership and growth in each of the churches. To encourage a collaborative approach to these developments across the valley, the future intent is to also license the post-holder as Assistant Curate to the benefice of Hope, Castleton and Bradwell, with the Priest in Charge there being similarly licensed to the benefice of Hathersage, Bamford and Grindleford . The aim is to share experience and learning across both benefices to promote a valley-wide missional conversation.

The other half of the emerging vision in the valley is the development of fresh-expressions of church. ‘The Hub’ is a newly-formed fresh expression intent on making a response to the significant numbers who use the Hope Valley for recreation - mainly walkers, climbers and cyclists. Some live locally, some simply come to the valley at weekends for recreation. Based at Hope Methodist Church, the project enjoys strong ecumenical support with Methodist funding and Anglican leadership.

The vision is already seeding other growth ideas. The benefice recognises the need for fresh and innovative approaches to effectively engage with their communities, and in particular with those age groups which are under-represented in their congregations. These missional and church growth opportunities need to be relevant and attractive to individuals and families. Although these are early conversations and will require careful navigation and consultation, each of the three churches has indicated their desire to explore such possibilities further, including the employment of a suitably experienced worker to lead the initiative . This role, for which there is the possibility of local funding, would be overseen by the post holder and hopefully build on some of the previous work of the Hope Valley Christian Youth Work.

Together with the established Priest in Charge at Edale, the successful candidate will be joining a shared valley-wide conversation to consider a missional roadmap leading to growing churches and flourishing communities. Applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to work collaboratively with colleagues, a leader of experience and quality, someone who positively encourages and personally relishes cross church conversation, someone with a heart for setting God’s people free to participate.

Summary Whether exercising oversight responsibility directly within the benefice or participating in a valley-wide mission conversation, the twofold aim is the same – to strengthen existing traditional congregations and to nurture new forms of church for younger generations.

We do not expect the new post-holder (or established ones) to do all this themselves, but rather to provoke new life through leadership innovation. With the Diocesan Mission and Ministry Team

6 supporting these developments, the merits of collaborative working with colleagues and diocesan officers to help shape and implement a valley-wide strategic vision is clear.

We believe we are entering an opportune time. Great potential exists to foster flourishing, growing churches but it will not be without challenge. It will require an exceptional leader with experience of facilitating new approaches to ministry, someone with proven leadership skills and ability to successfully carry people through a period of reflection and transition. Applicants will need an approach which is creative and courageous yet able to exercise leadership with understanding and sensitivity, recognising that the faithful people of each church community are on a journey.

I warmly commend this exciting opportunity to you.

Rev’d Colin Pearson Area Dean, Peak Deanery

7

This painting began as a God-given vision ten years ago. In the far north of our Benefice the high gritstone moors of the Pennines pour fresh water into three huge reservoirs. There is a walkway across Ladybower Dam in the centre of which is a map showing how the pipelines carry this water south along the Derwent Valley, through Bamford, Hathersage and Grindleford (our parishes), then onward through the former industrial mill towns of South Derbyshire and into the cities of Nottingham and Leicester. We often stop and pray at this map. God's vision showed the life-giving water promised by Jesus beginning to flow through our Benefice bringing Revival and Hope.

During these past ten years prayer has increased, we have already seen God's Spirit beginning to 'hover across the waters'; some Christian families have moved into the area and local folk are more ready to listen. Given this vision and knowing this landscape through living, walking and studying maps, I created this painting as a meditation with colours and rhythms expressing the vision for the future. The rich darker colours denote the gritstone moorlands which gather then release blessing and nurture along the blue River Derwent giving fresh green to the lowlands. This depiction is not a tightly structured plan but is a strong spiritual painting directly carrying a prayer for our new - you? - priest, to 'come over and help us' work this vision into God's kingdom.

Jenny Mather, Bamford St John's, www.jennymather.co.uk

8 2. Our New Incumbent - Priest in Charge We are looking for someone who:

 is dependent on prayer and the Holy Spirit  teaches and feeds us from God’s Word  has proven collaborative leadership qualities  has the ability to empower, encourage, and excite  has experience of growing churches – particularly to a younger generation missing from our churches  is a creative and inspiring leader  is a mission enabler, especially committed to working with schools and with a heart for community.

3. The United Benefice

3.1. Looking to the Future The three churches are typical rural Anglican parishes, strongly linked to the local community. The churches are valued by their villages but attended very selectively. This is not sustainable in the longer term unless there is a renewal of interest, faith, spiritual growth and leadership. These are the most urgent priorities for future flourishing and the three PCCs hope that a new incumbent will be able to facilitate this. We acknowledge that we need encouragement to think differently and do things through shared opportunities and responsibility. With the guidance of the Area Dean it is time to move the Benefice to the next stage.

We will support a new incumbent fully but also by praying for him/her, respecting the need for regular time off, paying full parish and additional expenses to enable ministerial development through further training and an annual retreat, and encourage lay responsibility.

3.2. Present Position The United Benefice was formed in 2008 when Grindleford joined with Hathersage and Bamford. We worship together on fifth Sundays and at Patronal Festivals. We have found it difficult to integrate services and other activities across the Benefice. Whilst, for the most part, we enjoy worshipping together, some people do not travel either because of age or inclination. There is very little social interaction across the Benefice, most congregations looking to their own village rather than the wider Benefice. During the vacancy, a group has met regularly to plan services; this opportunity of working together has been much appreciated.

Our congregations are generally increasing in age with ill-health, mobility issues and carer responsibilities having an impact. However, the sense of support, care, encouragement and friendship amongst the congregations is very apparent. Some members have attended and served faithfully for many years and many are involved in the community in a great variety of ways. A small number of families attend more or less regularly. Electoral Rolls: Bamford, 31; Grindleford, 20; Hathersage, 90. Average Sunday Attendance: Bamford, 20; Grindleford, 20; Hathersage, 35. Attendance is considerably larger at festivals.

The three churches in the Benefice are financially secure, each able to support charities and missions both at home and aboard.

9 We are fortunate to have three readers and two retired clergy serving the Benefice, and there are two safeguarding officers.

In our three individual churches, the pattern and style of worship is similar. Each church uses Hymns Old and New. All are welcome to receive Holy Communion or a blessing if preferred. There is an open approach to baptism and marriage with minimal formal preparation of candidates.

Other Denominations in the Benefice: Methodist (Bamford and Hathersage), Quaker (Bamford) and Roman Catholic (Bamford and Hathersage). Links with these denominations vary from village to village.

Festivals and Other Events tend to be shared with other denominations either within the Benefice itself or within the separate villages. The main shared services include Patronal, Covenant, Harvest, Remembrance, Sheepdog Trials and Bereavement Service.

Each village has a regular magazine which includes information about services together with a contribution from the various ministers.

4. Benefice Mission Action Plan

4.1. To deepen the spiritual lives of our congregations - ’setting God’s people free’ to be whole life- praying, mission-focused Jesus-people.

4.2. To build a more together feel and experience across the Benefice - being more creatively practical in supporting and energising each other.

4.3. To develop the opportunities given to us by our many visitors. Hathersage and Grindleford have many visitors active in a wide range of outdoor pursuits whilst Bamford sees a continual stream of Chinese students passing through the village.

4.4. To build on the links we already have with the three local schools.

4.5. To encourage lay pastoral care that can enable a growth in faith.

5. Benefice Opportunities

We have identified four areas of potential growth within the Benefice and Hope Valley:

5.1. Each church in the Benefice has found it a challenge to reach children and young people. Some Christian families worship outside the Hope Valley in larger churches which have a thriving children and youth ministry.

10 5.2. Hope Valley Christian Youth Work Association has been supported by Bamford and Hathersage Anglicans, Methodists and Catholics for twenty years with after-school clubs and drop-in facilities. Unfortunately since June 2019 there are no paid staff but trustees are working to renew this ministry.

5.3. Drawn by history, architecture or the simple need for refreshment - spiritual and physical - our churches receive hundreds of visitors each year. Hathersage and Bamford will shortly join Grindleford as destinations along the Peak Pilgrimage.

5.4. There is an opportunity to work with the other three villages in the Hope Valley: Bradwell, Peak Pilgrims visiting Grindleford Church Castleton and Hope.

6. Life in the Benefice

The Benefice is located in north Derbyshire within the Peak District National Park. We are situated at the southern end of the Pennine Way, surrounded by majestic hills and dales. Being on the eastern side of the Pennines, we get our fair share of rain and we have three large reservoirs near us, a haven for wildlife and a magnet for walkers and cyclists. We are on the boundary between the Dark Peak gritstone and the White Peak limestone which leads to fascinating geology and a variety of flora and fauna. In particular, our moorlands are very important and are the focus of much conservation work, for example, restoring sphagnum moss and re-wilding.

Census: Bamford, 1241; Hathersage, 2020; Grindleford, 909. Employment is in tourism, farming, care for the environment, quarrying and service industries. Many people commute to nearby urban centres. Unemployment is relatively low. Education: Each village has a primary school. Secondary education is mainly provided at Hope Valley College in Hope with alternative provision in Bakewell, Buxton, Chesterfield and Sheffield.

The range of facilities including shops, restaurants and cafes, visitor accommodation, sporting and medical facilities varies from village to village. There is road and rail access to Sheffield (11 miles) and Manchester (36 miles) and regular bus services. The Hope Valley benefits from a huge and varied range of clubs and societies covering sporting activities and much else from Art to Yoga. All age groups are catered for and support of the elderly is particularly important. Rural traditions are central and the church often has a role to play in these.

11 7. The Parish of Bamford and Derwent

7.1. Our Parish Church - St John the Baptist In area, Bamford and Derwent is the largest parish in the Diocese. St John's stands in a prominent position in the village. It was designed by William Butterfield, consecrated in 1860 and is grade 2*. The church is in good repair and Quinquennial work from 2017 is ongoing. The church is open daily, unmanned. Facilities include a kitchen and accessible toilet. The church is partly carpeted with flexible spaces at the front and rear of the nave. The churchyard St John's Church is currently being re-wilded with the planting of trees, wildflowers and hedgerows.

The Moore Memorial Hall, adjacent to the church is managed by a group of trustees under the Derby Diocesan Board of Finance. Is a modern, well-equipped, small hall much used by the village and church.

Currently there are seven members of the PCC (maximum 12) who meet bi-monthly.

Finances are well managed with small reserves of capital. The Common Fund is fully paid and a tenth of income plus loose collection at special services is given to local, national and international charities. Two of our members have close links with projects in Nepal and Senegal and we have contributed generously to these. We are able to commit financially in the future to a paid post for some form of Benefice ministry with children, young people and/or the elderly.

7.2. Our Church Life and Services Depending on staff availability, currently, at 11 am, the normal pattern is: • First Sunday: a more relaxed themed service with coffee and cake before (and after) • Second Sunday: morning worship or communion (Common Worship) • Third Sunday: joint with the Methodists • Fourth Sunday: morning worship or communion (Common Worship) • Fifth Sunday: joint Benefice service.

As we entered vacancy the twice monthly BCP 8 am service was discontinued because of the difficulty of staffing it (this service used to attract between three and nine people). A good proportion of these now come to the 11 am service (when it's Holy Communion) and many feel it a positive move to have a bigger single congregation rather than two smaller ones.

12 Bell ringing precedes the main Sunday service. As well as Hymns Old & New we have the occasional contemporary hymn and song, sometimes led by a folk musician. We are fortunate to have an organist twice a month and use a Hymn Plus HT400 machine when necessary. Readings and prayers are normally lay-led.

When we do have very young children in church, there is a carpeted area in the Lady Chapel with a supply of books and crayons. However, Bamford Methodist Church has viable children's work which St John's supports financially. Additionally, Anglican volunteers share staffing of the Wednesday After-School Club (organised The Wednesday After-School Club by the Methodists).

Festivals and Other Events. Bamford Anglicans and Methodists jointly plan and share significant services: Patronal, Covenant, Christian Aid, Mothering Sunday, Harvest and Carols. The annual Remembrance Service is held in St John's. We hold an annual Sheepdog Trials Service in May. The church is occasionally used by local charitable organisations for concerts.

Harvest 2019 on the theme of plastic followed

by zero waste lunch.

There is a weekly ecumenical pattern of prayer in the village, however, many people only see "Sunday" as church:

• Monday evening prayer meeting with a modern, open sharing feel • Tuesday evening 'quiet prayer'– a time of quiet or open prayer topped and tailed with liturgy • Wednesday morning prayers – one hour of bible discussion, shared prayer topics and prayer • Thursday afternoon tea and cake – teaching and study time for about an hour.

7.3. Our Visitors and Local Community Members of our church are significantly involved in the local community in many ways:

• Members were instrumental in helping the village buy and refurbish the Anglers Rest pub which is now a community hub combining pub, cafe and post office. It is the venue for many village events.

13 • Several members belong to the Hope Valley Climate Action Group and its sub-groups. • Church members have been involved with Bamford Community Arts and Crafts since its inception in 2000.

Chinese activity in Bamford has increased enormously over the past few years as students make a sort of pilgrimage to Bamford Edge. We have welcome notices in Chinese and some Chinese John's gospels. We've found Chinese prayers on our prayer tree and have Romans 8:26 in our minds as we bring these to the Lord during prayer times. We wish to build on this, but how?

7.4. Bamford Primary School (local authority) The school is situated next door to the Methodist Church and the two are closely connected, physically, practically and spiritually. This connection extends to the Parish Church since much of the contact between school and church is ecumenical. The Methodists and Anglicans share payment for a worker to run Godly Play sessions, and an After School Club; volunteers drawn from both congregations assist at these activities.

Specific to the Parish Church is the use of our building by the school for concerts, harvest and Christmas services. We always provide a welcoming presence at these events and assist with the practicalities and at the Christmas Nativity/Carol service there is an opportunity for one of our ministerial team to give a bible reading, comment and a final blessing. Bamford School's Harvest Service 2019

There are currently 77 pupils on the roll, a stable staff team led by a warm empathetic head and a supportive PTA group.

Church members are involved on a more personal level; one member annually does the PAT testing for the school and currently several members are involved with the school in the Bamford Climate Action Tree Planting Initiative. Clergy of all denominations go into school to lead assemblies. Operating in the Methodist Church Hall is a daily pre-school group of about 12 children and one of our members (a professional artist) occasionally runs art and craft sessions with these little ones.

7.5. Our Ecumenical Links Bamford Anglicans work and worship closely with the Methodists, sharing in their service once a month. Christian events are co-ordinated by Christians Together in Bamford: Christmas and Easter cards, Christmas Eve Carols on the Village Green with Crib Blessing, and Well Dressing blessing.

We have contacts with The Well, a large church in Sheffield, and we hope to develop this relationship. We recently held a joint BBQ and worship event. Our congregation was energized by the presence and music of younger people from The Well, likewise they loved coming out of the city for a taste of rural life and to enjoy a smaller group feel.

14 8. The Parish of Grindleford

8.1. Our Parish Church - St Helen's Originally in the parish of Eyam, Grindleford joined Hathersage and Bamford in 2008. The church of St Helen's was consecrated in 1910. It was an ambitious Gothic revival St Helen's Church project which thankfully was substantially modified to become a more modest building with a particularly well-lit practical nave. The church is open daily. The fabric is in good order and the organ was replaced in 2017. Facilities include good disabled/wheelchair access and an accessible toilet. An area of the churchyard has been set aside as a wildflower meadow and a strip of woodland is to be re-wilded.

The PCC has nine members but currently there are no church wardens. Finances are in good order and the Common Fund is fully paid. A generous bequest generates additional income available for both maintenance and mission. Ten per cent of income is given to charity and for mission. There is a covenant giving scheme and Patrons of St Helen’s who contribute to church maintenance.

15 8.2. Our Church Life and Services A Sunday morning service is held each week usually at 9.30 am, alternating Holy Communion and Morning Prayer. The fifth Sunday being the joint Benefice service. Readings and prayers are lay-led. A monthly Pews News is produced with a brief resumé of events.

Festivals and Other Events: Remembrance and the annual Carol and Christingle services normally see the Church full with around 90 people. There is an annual harvest lunch, an annual church lunch and monthly Wednesday afternoon fellowship teas. Over the past 10 years there have been various special events including concerts for charity, series of Sunday afternoon talks attended by between 20-35 people and a few very well attended exhibitions in the church.

8.3. Our Visitors and Local Community Grindleford community shop is housed in what was the choir vestry. Run by volunteers, it serves both the local community and visitors to the village, especially walkers and cyclists. It is open seven days a week, closing on Sunday morning and when the church is being used for a funeral or wedding. The presence of the shop has served to place the church building at the centre of the village community and fostered much good will.

Grindleford's Community Shop and Cafe

8.4. Grindleford Junior School (local authority) There are currently some 69 pupils in the school supported by ten staff: four teachers, a head teacher, school secretary and teaching assistants. There is also a village pre-school. Clergy contribute fortnightly to assemblies at the school and other members of the congregation are actively involved in school life. The school makes posies for Mothering Sunday services which are distributed by Grindleford Rainbows. The school uses the Church for their annual carol concert.

8.5. Our Ecumenical Links The Methodist Church in Grindleford closed about 15 years ago. A few of that very small congregation now worship at St Helen's and until recently a minister from the Methodist circuit has regularly led a monthly service here.

16 9. The Parish of Hathersage

9.1. Our Parish Church - St Michael and All Angels Originally close to the ancient village centre, the church now stands above and to the north of the modern village centre. Originating in the 14th century, St Michael's was widely restored about 150 years ago and is now grade 1 listed. The church is open, unmanned, daily.

A rolling programme of repairs recommended in the Quinquennial Report of 2017 is in hand. In 2017 the church underwent an extensive improvement project to install new heating and lighting systems. This programme included the replacement of pews with chairs in the north and south aisles together with those in the Lady Chapel, thus providing a more versatile use of space and seating for around 200.

The adjacent Bell Room has accessible toilets, baby changing facilities and kitchen. It is used for after-church coffee and midweek meetings, with regular bookings by local groups, together with occasional bookings for children’s parties.

St Michael and All Angels

Lady Chapel

The Bell Room

17 The PCC has 16 members including ex-officio members, with sub-committees overseeing the fabric, finance and churchyard aspects.

Finance: income over recent years has not quite kept pace with expenditure but capital reserves have allowed us to ensure the church and grounds are well maintained. Common Fund is paid in full.

9.2. Our Church Life and Services The main service is held at 9.30 am although this is replaced once a month by an 11.00 am service, the format remaining the same for both. Services of Holy Communion held fortnightly on Sundays at 8.00 am and weekly on Wednesdays at 10.00 am have been withdrawn during the vacancy.

Bell ringing precedes the main Sunday service. Music is led by the organist and choir. Readings and prayers are usually lay-led.

Children’s activities are provided in the south aisle for the small number of young children at Sunday services and for visitors. There is currently no demand for children’s and young people’s groups on Sundays.

Twice a month prayer ministry is offered after the morning service and a team provides pastoral visits and home communion.

9.3. Festivals and Other Events. Our beautifully reordered interior is now a place that we would like to increasingly use for new opportunities to engage with the community.

The Longshaw Sheep Dog Association join with the congregation for their annual service at the end of St Michael's and All Angels Interior August, with at least one well behaved sheepdog in attendance. A number of visiting choirs, musicians and performers provide opportunities for the church to reach out to the community and visitors. The Remembrance Service is well supported by local uniformed organisations across all ages including over 100 children.

9.4. Our Visitors and Local Community Links with Charlotte Bronte and Little John attract visitors to the church and church- yard. Visitors regularly use our prayer request book and each month we meet to uphold these people in our prayers.

Little John's Grave 18 During the summer we provide afternoon teas on Sunday afternoons. An annual barbeque is held in August, with Winter Warmers during Sunday lunchtimes in February. The annual Beer and Carols evening in December is a popular event when local and traditional carols are interspersed with poems and readings. Ladies that Lunch and Blokes Breakfast meet to discuss faith issues for mutual encouragement and social interaction, and successfully engage with those more comfortable on the fringe of the church. The Posada nativity tradition travels between homes, the school and retailers before Christmas. We see these occasions as important to our ministry and outreach to the community and the very many visitors and walkers.

9.5. Our Fellowship and Missions Support The Churchwardens issue a monthly newsletter and provide regular updates by email. Hathersage church has a website, Facebook page and dedicated email address and takes the lead in publishing a monthly Hathersage News.

In 2019 the church made contributions to Cameo Café, Careline Hathersage, Christians Against Poverty, Christian Aid (supporting its national week and Big Breakfast with help from Hathersage Methodist Church), Church Army, Church Missionary Society, Hope Valley Christian Youth Work, Scripture Union and Tear Fund. Annual box donations are made to The Children’s Society.

A food and provisions donation box is provided inside the church for the Grace Foodbank, and awareness is being raised of social and environmental issues including zero waste highlighted by local and Christian organisations.

Some pastoral visits are made and home communions offered.

9.6. Hathersage Primary School, CofE (Aided) The church has good links with the village school which caters for approximately 171 pupils aged 2 to 11 years with 25 staff and a head teacher. The school was judged excellent by SIAMS in 2017 and good by Ofsted in 2016. The seven foundation governors form the majority on the governing body and are appointed by the PCC and Diocese. The incumbent Hathersage Primary School is an ex-officio governor. The incumbent and other local clergy regularly lead weekly collective worship either in school or half termly in the church.

A team of volunteers help in the school and in particular lead and direct the Junior Church Choir which is open to all children. As practices are held on Tuesday afternoons during assembly time,

19 opening and closing prayers are read by pupils. The children sing in church on Mothering Sunday, Harvest and the carol service as well as village events such as the well-dressing service and luncheon club.

At Christmas two performances of a nativity play take place in the church by children from Reception to Year 3, whilst those in Years 4, 5 and 6 provide two services of readings and music the following day. The end of year celebration service is also held in the church. These important links with the school could be further encouraged and strengthened.

9.7. Our Ecumenical Links Members of the Anglican, Methodist and Roman Catholic churches in Hathersage meet as Churches Together to organise ecumenical events both worshipful and social. The churches are very supportive of each other and the clergy work well together. Shared events include:

• Weekly bible study during Lent • Pastoral care of the elderly residents of Moorlands House • Shared Passover Meal on Maundy Thursday • Walk of Witness through the village on Good Friday • Blessing of the Well service in July • Harvest Supper • Christingle service in December • Craft afternoon often with a biblical theme • Coffee morning in aid of The Children’s Society.

Hathersage's Festival of Angels Festival of Angels, 2018

20 10. The Vicarage

The vicarage is located in Hathersage, adjacent to the churchyard. It was built in 1986 in the grounds of the Old Vicarage which is now a private house. It is a four-bedroomed house with single integral garage, ample parking and a medium-sized garden with open views across rolling hills towards Stanage Edge. The original walled vegetable garden belongs to it and is at present cultivated by local residents for their own use on a ‘grace and favour’ basis, rather than any agreed right.

The Vicarage in Hathersage

11. Contacts

Bamford Carol Cotton, Church Warden 01433 650977 [email protected] Roger Mather, Reader and Church Warden 01433 651795 [email protected]

Grindleford John Gaunt, PCC Representative 07860 490604 [email protected] Elaine Hutchinson (general enquiries) 01433 630351 Lionel Stout, PCC Chair 01433 630466 [email protected]

Hathersage [email protected] Janice Hill, Church Warden 07721 047568 [email protected] Sarah Spence, Church Warden 07740 027731 [email protected]

12. Useful Websites

www.hathersagemethodist.org.uk www.hathersageparishchurch.co.uk www.bamfordmethodists.wordpress.com www.bamfordvillage.co.uk www.grindleford.com/welcome

21 Appendix 1: Services of Worship in 2019

Services held in 2019 with average attendance bracketed.

Type of service Bamford Grindleford Hathersage BCP Holy Communion on Sundays 10 (7) 5 (2) Holy Communion on Sundays 11 (20) 21 (19) 18 (39) Morning Worship on Sundays 15 (20) 18 (18) 20 (33) Patronal and United Benefice Communion 2 (55) 2 (43) 2 (47) Mid week BCP Holy Communion 7 (5) Funeral and Thanksgiving 5 (59) 2 (30) 8 (118) Burial of ashes inc memorial service 1 (22) Weddings and wedding blessings 2 (73) 1 (109) 7 (117) Baptism 2 (78) 3 (55) Ash Wednesday 1 (14) 1 (12) Mothering Sunday 1 (25) Good Friday/Easter Vigil 1 (11) 1 (34) Easter Day Holy Communion 1 (24) 1 (32) 1 (78) Ascension Day Holy Communion 1 (13) Christian Aid Sunday 1 (22) 1 (50) Pentecost Praise 1 (16) 1 (99) Sheepdog Service 1 (75) Harvest 1 (46) 1 (25) Remembrance Day 1 (40) 1 (63) 1 (249) Carol Service 1 (96) 1 (86) Christmas Eve 1 (80) 1 (47) Christmas Day Family Service 1 (30) 1 (33) Christmas Day Holy Communion 1 (21) 1 (51)

22 Appendix 2: Balance Sheets as at 31 December 2019 (awaiting formal audit)

St John's Church, Bamford 2019 2018 Change £ £ £ Assets Debtors 0 0

Funds Deposit 51 516 11 235 40 282 Investment 34 582 29 133 5 449 Total 86 098 40 366 45 732 Cash in Bank 4 093 4 134 (41) Total 90 191 44 500 45 690

Liabilities Creditors 0 0

Net Assets 90 191 44 500 45 690

St Helen's Church, Grindleford 2019 2018 £ £ Assets Cash at the Bank – current account 6 700 4 234 Gift Aid Account 1 730 5 423 Central Board of Finance of the Church of England CRASH 5 860 5 816 Hawksworth 25 977 22 088 Total 40 267 37 561

Liabilities 0 0

Net Assets 40 267 37 561 Represented by Accumulated Fund Balance as at 31 December 37 561 35 441 Add excess income over expenditure 2 706 2 120 Total 40 267 37 561

Miss E Hawksworth Bequest1 The portfolio valuation as at 31 December 2019 Income Shares £230 509.19 Accumulation Shares £534 089.07

St Michael and All Angels Church, Hathersage 2019 £ Receipts 41 611 Payments 65 874 Net (24 263)

Investments 100 000

1 The Miss E Hawksworth Bequest is a bequest which St Helen's Church received which allows the income only to be applied for the maintenance of services at St Helen’s Church and to the maintenance of the fabric of the Church or for either of such purposes or partly for one and partly for the other.

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