PARISH PROFILE

Priest-in-charge of

St Martin , St James Riddings and Christ Church Ironville

& Associate Priest of St Thomas Somercotes

St Martin St James Christ Church

Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

Contents 1. Description of the area 2. What we’re looking for in a priest and our vision for the future 3. Information about our churches 4. Details at a glance 5. St Martin Alfreton 6. St James Riddings 7. Christ Church Ironville 8. St Thomas Somercotes 9. Accommodation 10. Finance 11. Hardwick Deanery and Diocese 12. Maps 13. Contacts

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

1. Description of the area. The parishes of Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville lie to the east of the county of in the . The market town of Alfreton has a long history, though the popular claim that it was founded by King Alfred the Great is questionable. It came to prominence as a centre for coal mining, and has some fine examples of 18th century architecture such as the old George Hotel and Alfreton Hall, built by local mine owners. After the closure of the mines in the 1960s, the Hall’s estate was bought by the County Council, and is now part of a public park with swimming and sports facilities, while the Hall itself is a popular venue for weddings. The town has modern shops and services including supermarkets, banks, high street chains and independent retailers. The village communities of Riddings and Ironville are within three to four miles of Alfreton and have good transport links. There are primary schools in all three parishes, and a secondary school in Alfreton. There are also secondary schools in the neighbouring parishes of Swanwick and South Normanton, and in Ripley and Denby. Derbyshire is a large area geographically with diverse landscapes. Much of the county is rural with agriculture the dominant industry but there is also a long history of mining and quarrying. Busy market towns such as Chesterfield, Bakewell and the spa towns of and Matlock are set in beautiful countryside and there are many picturesque and historical villages. The county has its own identity and traditions including Well Dressings and the famous Shrovetide Football Match in Ashbourne. Britain’s first National Park, the Peak District, covers 500 square miles, three quarters of which lies within the county boundaries of Derbyshire. The parishes are in easy reach of both the National Park and the Derbyshire Dales. The city of Derby is nearby and there are good links to Nottingham, Sheffield, the M1 and national rail services. The county has long been popular with tourists and continues to offer much to the visitor including the impressive historical homes of Chatsworth, Hardwick, Haddon and Kedleston, as well as leisure activities such as climbing, walking and fishing; offers sailing and other water sports. The city of Derby boasts , home to Derby County Football Club, a velodrome, cinemas, a library, museums and theatres as well as a large shopping centre and a university.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

2. What we’re looking for in a priest and our vision for the future. The communities of Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville were shaped by mining and other heavy industries. Since the closure of the mines, there has been redevelopment and regeneration, but they have yet fully to embrace a new identity. National statistics reveal that unemployment is quite high and educational qualifications quite low. The Diocese has just appointed the Revd Imogen Black (currently licensed to these parishes as Associate Priest) to a new role as Area Missioner. We are therefore looking for a priest with vision, energy, and enthusiasm, and compassion for all people, who will work alongside her in bringing God’s love to these communities.

In particular, we are looking for a priest who: • has a passion for the Gospel, and for mission and outreach • is approachable and supportive, with the ability to nurture and develop people’s gifts and potential • works well collaboratively • is a good communicator, well organised, and can prioritise tasks • can work comfortably within the churches’ current mix of Liberal Catholic and Central traditions, while being creative in how to engage new people in the congregations • has a good sense of humour and who will: • develop the connections with local schools, especially David Nieper Academy in Alfreton (the secondary school) • encourage families and young people to join our worshipping communities • explore how the churches can help improve the lives of disadvantaged people locally • raise the profile of the churches in the community • nurture the existing congregations in their discipleship • engage with the local community including businesses, local government, community groups and care and residential homes

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

Our vision for the future Currently, the three parishes are not a legal entity – while Riddings and Ironville have been a United Benefice since 1986, Alfreton is a separate Benefice. However, the three parishes have shared an Incumbent since 2008, and expect this to continue. Somercotes, again, is a separate Benefice, which has only started working with the other three since 2015; this is a much looser arrangement, as the church still makes decisions as an independent parish. For example, the four churches have chosen to share Advent and Lent courses, but there are no plans for Somercotes to join in the current pattern of “fifth Sunday” united services. It is possible that, in due course, the four churches will become a Team Ministry, but any such decision is still some way in the future. For the present, the churches are committed simply to working together to spread the Gospel in these communities. In doing so, we have a shared desire to: • be places of love and welcome for all people, regardless of background • invite people to discover, or deepen their experience of, the life-changing presence of God • support and resource each other, sharing our gifts, our knowledge and experience, and our ideas • help the people of our parishes, and especially those in need, towards the fullness of life promised in the Gospels • work alongside other groups in the community in spreading God’s love It is also our hope that, through working more closely together, we may not only find support from each other, but will be enabled to focus on our particular sense of calling. While the old parish model tended to expect every church to offer all things to all people, by sharing in mission and ministry, each of our four churches will be freed to work to its own strengths and aspirations.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

3. Information about our churches

Worship The churches’ tradition is a mix of Liberal Catholic and Central; full Eucharistic vestments are worn at St Martin’s and St James’, and the Sacrament is reserved in all three. All use Common Worship Order One on Sundays but there is some use of BCP midweek. All churches also have an open baptism policy. Service times and activities can be found in the next section.

Colleagues The Revd Julian Penfold – NSM Curate to all three parishes, in his third year of training. Mr Peter Singleton – Reader and Chaplain to the Police Force. Peter is based at St Martin’s but works across all three parishes. The Revd Imogen Black – Priest in Charge of St Thomas, Somercotes and Area Missioner. She currently holds a licence to Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville as Associate Priest.

The churchwardens for all three parishes and that of St Thomas, Somercotes, meet on a regular basis to discuss shared business.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

4. AT A GLANCE St Martin’s, Alfreton St James’, Riddings Christ Church, Ironville

Sunday Worship 8am – Holy Communion 9:15am – Parish Communion 11am – Parish Communion

9:30am – Sung Communion 5th Sunday – United Churches 5th Sunday – United Churches 5th Sunday – United Churches Communion Service with Communion Service with Communion Service with Riddings & Ironville Alfreton & Ironville Riddings & Alfreton Owing to the vacancy, some Communion Services are currently replaced by Morning Prayer. There may be some desire to continue this when the vacancy is filled. Midweek Services Thursday 10am – Holy Fortnightly House Communion Monthly Holy Communion Communion (BCP) Occasional Offices (2016) Baptisms – 8 Baptisms – 7 Baptisms – 1 Weddings – 7 Weddings – 1 Funerals – 9 Funerals – 7 Funerals – 5 Electoral Roll (2016) 48 32 28 Average Sunday Attendance 35 22 16 Other information There is a small serving team. Members of the congregation Members of the congregation Incense is used, though not serve, read, lead intercessions read, lead intercessions and every week. and administer the chalice. administer the chalice. Members of the congregation also read, lead intercessions and administer the chalice.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

AT A GLANCE St Martin’s, Alfreton St James’, Riddings Christ Church, Ironville Regular Activities Open the Book Starter & Sweet Club Walking Group Foodbank Monthly Coffee Morning Study Group in Advent & Lent Bell ringing Study Group in Advent & Lent Parish Magazine with Riddings Churches Together Parish Magazine with Ironville Study Group in Advent & Lent Parish Magazine

Special Events Christmas Tree Festival Annual Parish Holiday Flower Festival Flower Festival Advent Fayre Christmas Tree Festival Ecumenical Good Friday Walk Easter Egg hunt Heritage Days of Witness Flower Festival School services St George’s Day Parade Service School services Occasional concerts Remembrance Sunday Parade Occasional concerts School services Occasional concerts

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

5. Alfreton The Church ST MARTIN OF TOURS is a Grade II* listed building, well over 800 years old, with some features datable to about 1174. It has a large organ, originally made by August Gern, but rebuilt and redesigned by Henry Groves & Son in 1999, which is played most Sundays. There is also an electronic keyboard. The clock and ring of eight bells have recently been restored and the church is popular with visiting bell ringers. There is a carpeted children’s/social area at the back of church and a large choir vestry which is used for refreshments after services and as a meeting room. It houses a colour photocopier and also has a kitchenette and toilet. The churchyard is closed, but burial of ashes is still permitted. ‘Community Payback’ assist with its maintenance. The Community Alfreton is an expanding town, located inside the north-eastern boundary of Borough Council. At the last census, it had a population of approximately 8000 people. The town has a long history, dating back to about 600AD. Since the beginning of the 19th century the town has been dominated by coal mining, which ceased in the 1960s, to be replaced by lighter industry such as warehousing and the service sector. There are several well-known national retailers on the high street and a large Tesco in the town centre. The town has a newly located post office, an indoor market, library, Job Centre and numerous public houses and food outlets. There are two medical centres, a leisure centre, a large park to the west end of the town and a golf course on the western outskirts. The community is made up of a mixture of private homes and social housing, with a number of care homes. There are several new housing estates in various stages of completion which will provide more than 500 new homes. Alfreton has a secondary school, David Nieper Academy, which has recently been rebuilt to a high standard; in September, it started a Sixth Form Business and Enterprise Centre. There are two infant schools and two junior schools as well as a Roman Catholic primary school (all rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted). Special needs provision is made at Parkwood School in Alfreton Park.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

6. Riddings The Church ST JAMES is a Grade II listed Georgian building designed by Francis Bedford of London and built in 1832. It has a very fine three-manual Bevington organ which is used every Sunday by the regular organist, and a recently renovated set of ten Harrington tubular bells. There is also a grand piano in the church. There is a newly installed kitchen with full facilities, and toilet for the disabled; the church lighting has recently been upgraded. There is a carpeted area at the back of church for social events. The churchyard is closed, but burial of ashes is still permitted. ‘Community Payback’ assist with its maintenance on a monthly basis. The Community A largely residential area, two miles south of Alfreton, Riddings has a mixture of private and social housing and two care homes. The population at the last census was approximately 4000 and employment is mainly found in nearby towns and industrial areas. Both Riddings Infant and Nursery School and Riddings Junior School are within easy reach of the church and use it for activities such as Christingle, Remembrance and Leavers’ services. The Infant School has a church assembly twice a term. The Church of Christ, a free church, is nearby in the parish and there is potential to work with them in mission. There are five pubs. A licensed community centre plays host to an over-50s club, Brownie pack and dance lessons. There is a large park with sporting and playground equipment. There is a Post Office, supermarkets and some small shops.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

7. Ironville The Church CHRIST CHURCH, designed by Henry Isaac Stevens, is Grade II listed and was built in the 1850s. There is a tower clock, one bell and a fine two- manual organ by T.C. Lewis, which is played every Sunday by the regular organist. There is also an electronic keyboard in the church. The church has two cemeteries: the old cemetery adjacent to the church is closed but has a garden of remembrance, while the new cemetery across the road is fully operational. Recent substantial and successful works have been undertaken on the roof and tower. Lighting has recently been updated inside, and there are plans to redecorate the church’s interior. There is a social area at the back. The church hall, next door to the church, is well equipped with kitchen and toilets with access for the disabled. A back room houses a colour photocopier and is used for meetings. There is ample car parking. The hall is used by a number of groups including craft groups, dog training, dancing and a new community dining scheme. Half the hall houses a licensed social club, the Anvil Club, which is owned by the church and has recently reopened. The Community The village of Ironville was created to house the workers at the Butterley Iron Works, while most of the new housing is contained in the neighbouring community of Park. The two communities live surprisingly separate lives and Codnor Park would be worth being specifically targeted by the new priest. The population at the last census was approximately 1900. There are industrial estates and small businesses – including two licensed clubs, a village shop with post office, and a hairdresser – and a care home. Ironville and Codnor Park Primary School, directly opposite, is beginning to explore links with the church, and there is also an independent nursery school next door. Within the parish is the Midland Railway Butterley Heritage Centre, a section of the and . These have active heritage groups with which the church has recently begun building connections. Codnor Park Reservoir is an attractive leisure destination for walking and fishing.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

8. St Thomas, Somercotes In recent years, and especially since the appointment of the Revd Imogen Black, the three churches have been working with the neighbouring parish of Somercotes, which historically was part of the parish of Riddings. Somercotes is not in vacancy, but the new priest for Alfreton, Riddings and Ironville will be licensed there as an Associate Priest to facilitate our working together. St Thomas’ stands solidly in the catholic tradition: there are frequent weekday Masses, Eucharistic adoration and Marian devotion are practised, and sacramental Confession is offered. Like the other three churches, it has an open baptism policy. It has a flourishing Sunday School and a small choir; the parish organist runs a large community choir. The four parishes share Advent and Lent courses, social events and occasionally join together for weekday festivals, e.g. The Ascension. Somercotes has both an infant school and a junior school which have links to the church. The former parish hall, now the village hall, hosts a wide range of community groups and is reserved for church use on Sundays. There is a sizeable carpark.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

9. Accommodation The new priest will live at the Vicarage of St Martin’s, Alfreton, a spacious, 1950s four bedroomed house next door to the church, and within easy walking distance of the town centre. On the ground floor there is a study, dining room, sitting room, kitchen, utility room and toilet. On the first floor there are three double bedrooms, one single bedroom, and a bathroom with a shower over the bath. There is gas central heating throughout, and parking for several cars, including a single garage. There is a large front garden and a private, fenced, back garden; a gate to the side of the front garden gives access directly to the churchyard.

Front garden Back garden

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

10. Parish Finance Please note: At the end of 2016 there was a major reallocation of the Common Fund in the Diocese. Some parishes saw increases and some decreases, so the percentage paid in former years is not an entirely reliable guide to how much will be paid this year.

Alfreton In 2016, the Common Fund requested for St Martin’s was £18,552, of which the parish paid 48.5%. The Common Fund requested for 2017 is £19,492.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

Riddings In 2016, the Common Fund requested for St James’ was £16,581, of which the parish paid 48.2%. The Common Fund requested for 2017 is £14,264.

Ironville In 2016, the Common Fund requested for Christ Church was £8,498, of which the parish paid 49.4%. The Common Fund requested for 2017 is £8,568.

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

11. Hardwick Deanery & Derby Diocese The , in the , more or less covers the county of Derbyshire (though, in fact, the parish of Ironville includes part of the Nottinghamshire village of ). Its Diocesan Bishop is the , , whose seat is at Derby . He is assisted by the Suffragan Bishop of Repton, Jan McFarlane. The Revd Gill Manley is the Area of Hardwick Deanery, which is within the Archdeaconry of Chesterfield. The structure of the Diocese has recently been reorganised, to create fewer, larger, Deaneries; Hardwick covers parishes on the east side of the county, and goes as far north as Bolsover. It is named after the nearby stately home, , home to , a notable Elizabethan figure who also owned Chatsworth The Arms of the Diocese of Derby House. Her remains are interred at Derby Cathedral. The Diocesan vision is to be “Christ’s presence in every community: Growing, Outward Facing, Learning, Healthy”; within this, the Deanery aims particularly to encourage its parishes to work together, and to support them in their mission.

Hardwick Hall

The Tomb of Bess of Hardwick Derby Cathedral 16

Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

12. Maps

Derbyshire The local area

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Parish Profile – St Martin Alfreton, St James Riddings, Christ Church Ironville – October 2017

13. Contacts Acting Archdeacon of Chesterfield: The Revd Tony Kaunhoven (01629) 814462 [email protected] Area Dean of Hardwick Deanery: The Revd Gill Manley (01773) 873305 [email protected]

Parish Representatives: The Revd Imogen Black (Associate Priest) (01773) 603793 [email protected] The Revd Julian Penfold (Assistant Curate) (01773) 833242 [email protected]

Informal parish visits, with opportunities to meet churchwardens, can be arranged.

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