Benefice Profile

The and Bure to Yare Benefice

The Parishes of Acle Beighton with Moulton, with Tunstall, Wickhampton, , Limpenhoe, Southwood & Cantley and Reedham.

(February 2019)

1

Contents

SECTION 1 The benefice and its seven parishes: where it is and what it’s like p.3 The Benefice / Benefice Life p.4 Facilities and Villages p.6 The Ministry Team / Occasional Offices and other statistics

SECTION 2 The Parish Churches: Buildings and Communities. p.7 Acle / p.8 Beighton / p.9 Freethorpe / p.10 Halvergate with Tunstall p.11 Limpenhoe, Southwood & Cantley / p.12 Reedham / p.13 Wickhampton

SECTION 3 Deanery and Diocese p.14

SECTION 4 The qualities we are looking for in a priest p.14

Annex I Contact details p.16

Annex II Reedham Rectory p.16

Summary

We are seeking applicants for a House for Duty Assistant Priest, resident in Reedham, , to join the Ministry Team led by the Revd Martin Greenland, resident in Acle and Rector of the benefice.

The focus of the post is to be developed in consultation with the successful applicant (see p.15) – we look forward to hearing what you might bring to enhance what we are already doing, together and in the individual parishes.

In the meantime this profile gives a picture of the whole benefice, which comprises seven parishes in rural Norfolk. Styles of worship vary, but common themes of an ecumenical approach, community engagement, links with schools and great potential for use of church buildings emerge from our profile. We are seeking a priest who has a gift for outreach and the energy and personality to attract younger generations to the Church.

2

SECTION 1: The benefice and its seven parishes: where it is and what it’s like

The Benefice The benefice formally came into being in 2015, when an existing benefice of 6 parishes, served from Reedham in the south, was joined by the market village of Acle and the adjoining parish of Beighton with Moulton. Approximate Parish Boundaries of the Benefice

Lying between the Rivers Bure and Yare, the villages are set amongst farmland; to the east are low-lying grazing marshes that are of European importance for wildlife. The moorings at Reedham, Cantley and Acle Bridge are part of the wider network of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, attracting both visitors to the area and those that want to make it their home. The small number of river crossing points (Acle Bridge and the Reedham Ferry) act to define the area. This is a wonderful area for wildlife, as well as being a beautiful holiday destination and having much productive farming. Benefice Life

While all our parishes are justly proud of their own church buildings and identities, increasingly many activities cross boundaries and are supported across the whole benefice. A good example was the Passion Play on Good Friday 2017. This was an open-air event which moved round locations in Reedham, followed by an audience of c.500. Cast and crew were drawn from all the parishes and beyond, with and without close links to the churches. Passion Play – the crowd gathers to witness Peter’s denial of Christ.

3

Similarly there are two teams who put on Open the Book in three Primary schools in the Benefice: Reedham, Freethorpe and Acle. These were set up in conjunction with the two local Methodist Churches.

The Benefice Council dates from 2013 and has proved highly valuable in developing the benefice and for coordinating ministry in the individual parishes. Each is represented by two and sometimes three members of their PCC, not necessarily the Church Wardens; the Council meets every 2-3 months. When there is a fifth Sunday in the month, a joint service is held and tends to be attended by 40-50 people from across the benefice. Special services may also be benefice-wide.

There is also a Benefice Choir, directed by a former Master of the Music at Cathedral, no less! As well as a Carol Service, there is a choral event around Easter (Stainer’s Crucifixion last year). Evensong has been sung twice at the Cathedral and is planned for Halvergate’s Prayer Book Sunday in March.

‘Outlook’ magazine is produced monthly at Reedham. It is both a community newsletter, distributed free to Reedham parish, and also a ‘Parish Magazine’ for the rest of the Benefice. Current and past editions are posted on the Benefice website – www.abychurches.co.uk – which not only lists Church services and events, but many Community events as well.

There are strong links with the other churches in the area – through ACT (Acle Churches Together) and joint services with Freethorpe Methodist Chapel.

Facilities and Villages There are 4 primary schools – Acle, Cantley, Freethorpe and Reedham, and a Secondary School, Acle Academy. Health Care is provided by a Medical Centre at Acle with a surgery at Reedham, and an optician, pharmacy and dentist, also at Acle. Acle has a Library and the other villages are served by a Mobile Library Van. There are Railway Stations at Acle, Cantley and Reedham, and a limited bus service to many of the villages. Acle has excellent road links to Norwich and Yarmouth, with an express bus service. Reedham has its famous chain ferry across the Yare. 4

The Villages vary greatly in size and character (for populations, see the chart on page 6). Acle is the largest, with a post office, bank, public houses, restaurant, legal firms, and a range of shops including a supermarket. For leisure there is a recreation and sports centre and Social Club and play areas. It has the character of a small market town. The area round Acle Bridge has boatyards and moorings. Reedham is the next in size, having three public houses, a part-time post office, general store, chip shop and hairdressers. As well as riverside moorings and boatyards, it caters for tourists with an Animal Adventure Park, prize winning micro-brewery and cafés. It has a busy Village Hall. Freethorpe also has a well patronised Village Hall, a general store and a public house. The multi-use games area has a community pavilion, and there is an active Methodist Chapel.

Cantley is the most obviously industrial village: British Sugar’s beet processing factory runs day and night over the processing season from September to February/March. British Sugar owns the local sports facilities and has an active social club and both are shared by the village. Other village events are held in the village hall. Cantley also has a small riverfront quay and two public houses.

In the same as Cantley, Limpenhoe and Southwood are formed of a scatter of small settlements with arable or mixed farms. Adjacent to the church and sharing its car park, the Village Hall is run by a very active committee and events there are supported well by local residents. A recent craft fair utilised both buildings: similar joint functions are planned. Halvergate with Tunstall is the next in size, and are on the edge of the , the UK’s first Environmentally Sensitive Area. Halvergate has an attractive thatched public house, a bowling green and playing field and a Village Hall social club. Tunstall is a small hamlet that was amalgamated with Halvergate in the 1930s.

With easy access to the A47, the majority of the working population of Beighton travel to either Norwich or . There is a no shop but a village hall. Moulton St Mary hosts two small businesses; a car sales firm and a widely popular garden centre with coffee shop.

Wickhampton is the smallest village, also on the edge of the Halvergate Marshes. No housing development will be allowed in the foreseeable future. Many tourists come to look at the Church’s famous wall paintings, to walk on the marshes, and to visit the RSPB reserve at .

5

The Ministry Team

The Revd Martin Greenland is 53 and in his tenth year as an incumbent in Acle and is currently joint Rural Dean of the Deanery. “I feel I have particular gifts in leading worship (I’d describe myself as Catholic-side of Central, with a preference for more formal styles) and singing; I value the fact that the Kingdom of God and Anglican ministry are about more than the Church; I am committed to developing ecumenical co-operation, passionate about the natural world and also organised!” Nicholas Cowen is a retired civil servant who was licenced as a Reader in 2007; his licence includes funeral ministry. Nicholas is based in Reedham but his ministry spans the benefice and he is comfortable with both the Prayer Book and Common Worship services. Vic Tasker-Walsham is a Reader with PtO, based at Acle, and also licenced for funeral ministry. There are 6 Authorised Worship Assistants and other lay members of the congregations also lead services. Occasional Offices and other statistics

The fairly recent development of Southwood Hall as an idyllic wedding venue generates a few church ceremonies. Most of the churchyards remain open for burials; there are also some civil cemeteries. Cremations entail travel outside the Deanery to Horsham St Faith, Gorleston or to Norwich. The following table gathers together some vital statistics.

Sunday Church Other Electoral services Normal Baptisms Weddings Population funerals funerals Roll per 4- Sunday (average (average (approx.) (average (average 2018 week Attendance 2016-18) 2016-18) 2016-18) 2016-18) month

Acle 2800 41 7 26 4 3 7 8

Beighton + 400 7 2 7 0 0 2 0 Moulton

Freethorpe 1000 14 4 15 5 2 1 1

Halvergate + 600 13 3 12 1 0 3 0 Tunstall

Limpenhoe, Southwood + 750 12 2 7 1 1 2 2 Cantley

Reedham 1200 30 6 17 1 1 5 4

Wickhampton 50 5 1 8 1 1 0 0

6

SECTION 2: The Parish Churches: Buildings and Communities.

Open Churches

The churches are usually open during daylight hours and most have taken part in Open Churches Week and the annual sponsored cycle ride. Many invite visitors to make their own coffee or tea; some have a library corner and Wickhampton and Beighton have a bric-a-brac table.

St Edmund’s Church, Acle

Standing on the main-street and open daily, Acle’s part-thatched, round- towered, Grade I listed church offers a beautifully light, uncluttered space to worshippers and visitors. 15th century features include a dramatic font, a delicate screen and a disturbing plague inscription. There are outstanding works, not least replacement of the heating boiler. Remembrance Sunday at Acle.

Weekly worship consists of a smaller said 8am Prayer Book Holy Communion followed by a larger 11am Common Worship service, formal in style, with a balance between Holy Communion and non-Eucharistic baptisms or morning worship. A grand piano supplements the usual organ accompaniment.

‘Acle Churches Together’ is an ecumenical group involving the three churches (Anglican, Roman Catholic and Methodist) holding joint services in Acle and social events several times a year. The Roman Catholic community enjoys the use of St Edmund’s for its Mass at 5.00 pm every Saturday. Prayers are said every Tuesday morning in the Methodist Chapel.

Acle St Edmund Church of Primary School has about 200 children on the roll and is supported through a foundation governor. There are many worship and learning opportunities in Acle’s church buildings; the church is a good venue for concerts, has hosted flower and Christmas tree festivals and has been instrumental in setting up and providing the space for a thriving monthly farmers’ market. There are also various clubs and associations that meet in the church hall. The elderly are helped by ‘Acle Voluntary Aid’, a community based charity run by volunteers using a purpose day centre provided by the Methodist Church.

7

All Saints’ Church, Beighton and St Mary’s Church, Moulton St Mary

Beighton All Saints is 14th century constructed of knapped flint with a thatched nave. Extensive renovation of the scissor-beam roof, tower and high-level nave walls has been carried out in recent years. The parish is in the middle of a major funding bid with Heritage Lottey Fund to re-thatch the roof, carry out repairs to the fabric and improve facilities to make the building more useable. Moulton’s church is redundant and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The churchyard is the responsibility of the PCC. Two services are held each month at All Saints. The first Sunday of each month is Holy Communion and the third Sunday is Morning Prayer using Common Worship. A small and dedicated congregation from Beighton, Moulton and surrounding villages attends services and shares refreshments

and fellowship afterwards. Christingle, harvest and pet services have been enjoyed in recent years. There is also the monthly drop-in at Beighton Village Hall run by All Saints. Both churchyards receive upkeep grants from the parish council and this year received extensive help from the Bure Valley Conservation Group.

Fund raising and social events are held in the Parish of Beighton including quiz and chips evenings, strawberry teas, flower festivals, Open Gardens, concerts, and a performance of ‘Murder in the Cathedral’.

Above Left – Beighton Flower Festival

Above right – Beighton Craft Exhibition

Right – A very cheerful St Thomas à Becket.

Left – One of Moulton St Mary’s Medieval Wall paintings

8

All Saints’ Church, Freethorpe

All Saints’ is a Grade II* listed building and probably the oldest and certainly the smallest parish church in the benefice. The round tower is early Norman and most of the building dates back to1200. Although much of the interior looks mediaeval, it is a Victorian

reproduction designed by Anthony Salvin. The Vade Walpole family related to our first Prime Minister, have in the past been major benefactors of the church. A dedicated band of cleaners and flower arrangers helps keep the building looking at its best. No major works on the building are needed. The new Composting Toilet is opened

2018 saw the church awarded “Highly Commended“ by the Welcoming Church Awards. We now have a composting toilet, the cost mostly covered by various grants. Upkeep of the churchyard is supported by a yearly grant from the parish council.

The Freethorpe congregation is steady and very active. There are no regular young worshippers though, other than Guides, Brownies and Rainbows for special services such as Christingle, Christmas and Mothering Sunday. We now have four AWA Authorised Worship Assistants using Common Worship and there is one Holy Communion a month. On most Sundays , our organist plays; if not recorded music is used. “Complete Anglican Hymns, Old and New” is used and there is a copy of the Good News Bible in every pew.

Everyone is invited to stay for coffee after services. Most people stay for friendly chatter. People outside the benefice attend services regularly. There is a very good and long- standing relationship between Anglicans and the Methodists in Freethorpe with joint services twice a year and a very popular carol service in the village hall. Women’s World day of Prayer is celebrated together and the service is hosted alternately. Three members of the church are involved with ”Open the Book” and school children visit the church. The new Communion Kneeler is dedicated by Bishop Alan

9

Halvergate St Peter and St Paul, and Tunstall St Peter and St Paul Churches

Halvergate’s 13th century church is the largest in the benefice with the space for a congregation of 150 – ideal for group and special services such as on Remembrance Sunday or Midnight Communion on Christmas Eve. The PCC is a corporate member of the Prayer Book Society and three services are held each month – Communion, Matins and Morning Prayer. There is cordiality and cooperation with the Methodist Church in Freethorpe and joint services are held twice a year.

The Church has organised exhibitions of local history, in celebration of marriage, and to commemorate the Centenary of the armistice ending the Great War, which were popular and well attended. Although no children attend services regularly, the uniformed organisations are represented on Remembrance Day and links with the School are strong, through enthusiastic participation in the Open the Book project, support for the Holiday Club, and the hosting of the annual School Christmas Concert. Our annual service of Remembrance and the occasional services at Tunstall attract many local people who are not regular churchgoers. The Parish Council gives financial support for churchyard maintenance and has facilitated the provision of a mains water supply together with the resurfacing of the footpath to the entrance. The churchyard is frequently visited by local families to maintain the graves of deceased loved ones; and from time to time local people form a working party to keep the site clean and tidy. We endeavour to keep villagers informed about church events through regular notices in the local press and contributions to the village newsletter.

Closed in 1982, neighbouring Tunstall church is in the care of a Trust, although its graveyard is in the care of the PCC. The church itself is a ruined nave with a chancel that was restored in 1705. In its lovely natural and secluded setting, Tunstall is still used

for occasional services at Easter and Lammas. These services are popular – especially the lighting of the Easter fire on Easter Eve in Tunstall’s ruined nave, followed by renewal of baptismal vows. The Easter Eve Service begins with a fire kindled in the Nave of Tunstall Church

10

The Churches of St Botolph, Limpenhoe; St Edmund, Southwood; and St Margaret, Cantley

Two services, Morning Prayer and Holy Communion, are held each month at Limpenhoe at 9.30am. Members of other congregations from across the benefice attend regularly and the converse, if there is no service at Limpenhoe. Church membership has increased over the last two years partially due to a family moving into the village who are taking an active part. Attendance averages nine, with larger numbers for Christmas carols and other festival services, both from within the Parish and elsewhere.

Sea Sunday at Limpenhoe

St Botolph is a Grade II* building thought to date back to about 1200 AD. The church was reconstructed and enlarged in 1881-2 following the loss of the thatched roof and then collapse of most of the walls. Some of the materials and furnishings used in the rebuilding may have come from St Edmund’s Church, Southwood which was closed at about the same time. Southwood church is now a scheduled monument subject to stabilisation work funded by Historic England and Broadland District Council. Following its 2009 quinquennial report, St Botolph’s lighting has been completely renewed. A quinquennial inspection was carried out in August 2018 and a programme of works is in the process of compilation. For several years, the maintenance of the churchyard has been funded by the Parish Council.

There has been a place of worship at Cantley since about 1270, but regular services at St. Margaret's ended some time ago. The main user is now Cantley Primary School, organising 4 or 5 services a year. In 2017 the building was taken over by the Diocese of Norwich Churches Trust and a new Parish was formed, amalgamating Cantley with the parish of Limpenhoe with Southwood. The churchyard remains open for burials and grass cutting is paid for by the Parish Council. A few residents of Cantley worship at other local churches.

11

Reedham, St John the Baptist’s Church

Medieval on the outside, inside the Church building is surprisingly modern, after a major fire in 1981. We have toilets and a mini kitchen, two meeting rooms, a carpeted floor and new lighting. The heating system is being improved. The modern pews are moveable (and frequently are), giving a very flexible space. On the Centenary of the Armistice we staged an Exhibition with contributions from the whole community; in December, a Christmas Tree Festival, with trees from many local businesses and clubs. The latest quinquennial reported no major problems. Underneath lie Roman foundations and traces of the original 7th Century Saxon church; the Norfolk Saints Way Project plans to highlight our foundation by St Felix. Last year we created a Churchyard Maintenance Group, which not only keeps the Churchyard looking well, but again involves members of the village not otherwise part of Church life.

Traditional services use either Common Worship or the Book of Common Prayer, with a history of strong lay involvement in leading services. The regular congregation is small, but welcoming and friendly. Church members are involved in ‘Open the Book’.

Our growth area is work with younger people. Formerly ‘Messy Church’, “Chill Church” (facebook @ChillChurchReedham) meets two Sunday afternoons a month, offering activities, faith time and a light supper, with plans for outings, talks and a special service with the young people being actively involved. With an age range from 0-13 the older children are very keen to be actively involved with the younger. We also have been fundraising for ‘Sunshine Educare’, a charity working in a deprived South African township.

The push for WW1 Ringing Remembers recruits has seen the recent creation of a bell ringing team. From a largely silent tower, we now have a group of 13 learners and returners, Weekly practices are now held and members regularly journey into the Mancroft Ringing Discovery Centre, Norwich to hone their skills.

12

Wickhampton, St Andrew’s Church

The a Grade I listed building dates from c. 1200 AD and is best known for its 14th century wall paintings (amongst the finest in East Anglia). These were restored well in 1964 and stabilized in 2003. There are also well-preserved 13th century stone effigies of a knight and his lady in the chancel. The church has a distinctive setting in the landscape as the gateway to Halvergate Marshes on the Weavers Way long-distance footpath. The church is well cared for and has a welcoming atmosphere; serve- yourself refreshments are always available. Visitors from world-wide sign the visitors’ book and outreach, hospitality and welcome have much scope for further development.

St Andrew’s church is the only building in the village available for large events and often hosts art exhibitions, talks, concerts and other fund-raising events. In the past a children’s art club met weekly. Last year a “Friends of Wickhampton Church“ was established for those who love the church but are not regular church goers: so far five families from the village have joined. Various fund raising events have been held with enthusiastic support of the local community; the Annual Teddy Bear Parachute Jump is becoming something of a tradition.

The 2013 quinquennial report highlights repair work that is required to the tower. After two unsuccessful applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the PCC decided to focus on firstly a composting toilet (for which permission has been obtained) and then heating. Small scale grant applications are being made.

For the past ten years or so, there has been a monthly morning Eucharist in the chancel attended by communicants from across the benefice and beyond. Informality makes the service accessible to all and allows for flexibility. At main festivals and when there are joint benefice services the whole church is used, often with time to chat over refreshments afterwards. An annual Plough Sunday service has been attended well from across the benefice. Traditional ‘middle of the road’ describes our worship well and Wickhampton is willing and able to adapt to congregational needs.

13

SECTION 3: Deanery and Diocese

The Benefice forms the south-eastern corner of the Blofield Deanery, with its six multi-parish benefices. Those in the west look towards Norwich; some are earmarked for substantial development. The east is more rural and less populated; some residents have connections with the Great Yarmouth area, rather than Norwich. The Deanery pretty much coincides with the eastern part of the area administered by Broadland District Council; Authority has jurisdiction along the river valleys and across the marshes.

With two Joint Rural Deans, the Deanery has recently adopted a Strategic Plan – aspiring to be a Deanery that resources, releases and cares – this will direct the agendas of Chapter and Synod meetings to come. It has a history of positive relationships: you will be welcomed! The Deanery has a small number of active retired clergy.

The Norwich Diocese is committed strongly to parish ministry, although this is a challenge in such a large, rural diocese with so many medieval parish churches! Its Mission Strategy divides into four strands of Listen, Imagine, Empower and Celebrate. Each parish is asked to show that it is Committed to Growth in the key areas of discipleship, service and numbers. The Parish Share system The Responsibility is Ours has the long term aim of getting benefices to cover their (averaged out) ministry costs – that remains a challenge for our benefice of small parishes, although we have managed to pay most of what has been asked of us so far (95% in 2017, 100% in 2016).

SECTION 4 – The qualities we are looking for

From the Revd Martin Greenland: “There is a diversity of needs and preferences across the benefice; I am looking for a priest with whom I can collaborate fruitfully and would welcome someone whose gifts and leanings are complementary, rather than simply replicating my own. To provide flexibility, diversity and to prevent the formation of hard internal boundaries, the Associate Priest will share (depending on experience) leadership and ministry with the Rector across the whole benefice. That said, I recognise the need for a focus, within the constraints of the part-time nature of the post, which can be achieved by either or both of the following:-  The previous Associate Priest took primary responsibility for a part of the benefice and that might continue to be the case. Possible configurations would be Reedham + Freethorpe; or Reedham + the smaller parishes of Limpenhoe, Southwood & Cantley + Wickhampton. There would still be a degree of interchangeability with the Rector in leading worship elsewhere.

14

 The Associate Priest might specialise in particular aspects of ministry which span the whole benefice, e.g. developing lay ministry; ministry with children and young people; links with schools; evangelistic outreach. The rooted nature of individual communities and churches demands that, although the clergy are located at Acle and Reedham, these aren’t to be seen as the centres of the benefice. There is a need to maintain a sense of presence in the other locations, within the constraints of clergy time. The size of the benefice means that it will be important to continue to develop lay ministry and reduce the administrative dependence of parishes on the clergy. The Benefice Council, two Open the Book teams and increasing number of Authorised Worship Assistants are very positive steps in this direction”. Thoughts from Reedham:

“Our main priority is growth and so we need a priest who will engage fully in outreach.

We want a priest who will work collaboratively with others in ministry and leadership and be part of a team. We want someone who is confident enough to let others have their place in ministry.

We would normally like a service in Reedham church each Sunday and prefer to have it at a regular time, whether led by the Priest or lay people. We would like a Holy Communion at Reedham once a month. We would like a Communion somewhere in the benefice each Sunday”.

Thoughts from Wickhampton:

“There is new energy in our small community willing to support our church. We would like the Associate Priest to help us take full advantage of this opportunity; to encourage us in our grant applications to improve Church facilities, and bring fresh forms of worship that will enrich the elderly and appeal to the young”.

Thoughts from Freethorpe:

“We would like a priest who is “visible “ in our community so that people are encouraged to come to Church, We need a leader, but we are prepared to support or help where we can with the AWAs leading and helping in services.

Members of our PCC make willing helpers. The service pattern we have now is popular with our current congregation; we realise this might have to change. We would like a Holy Communion service monthly please.”

Thoughts from Halvergate:

“We are hoping for an outgoing individual whose personality will enhance the status of the church in the local community, as well as providing spiritual leadership. We are looking for genuine and wholehearted support for our continued use of the Book of Common Prayer.”

15

Annex I CONTACT DETAILS

The Rector The Revd Martin Greenland, The Rectory, Norwich Road, Acle, Norwich NR13 3BU Tel: 01493 750393

Readers Reedham Mr Nicholas Cowen 01493 700915 Acle Mr Vic Tasker-Walsham 01493 752273

Contacts for the other parishes:-

Beighton with Moulton: Mrs Ann Adey 01493 700414 Mrs Rosemary Whyborn 01493 750079 Freethorpe: Mr Graham Allcock 01493 700256 Mrs Jean Thompson 01493 700451 Halvergate with Tunstall: Mr Nicholas Butcher 01493 701122 Mrs Sally More 01493 700279 Limpenhoe, Southwood Mr Michael Brook 01493 700259 & Cantley: Mr John Mules email [email protected] Wickhampton: Mrs Brenda Pawsey 01493 700068 Mr Peter Ledward 01493 700008

Annex II REEDHAM RECTORY HOUSE

The house in which the Assistant Priest will live was purpose built in 1974 and is immediately behind the church building.

16

On the ground floor, it has a generously sized study by the entrance door, a large living room, a dining room with a ‘minstrel’s gallery’ opening from the upstairs landing and a kitchen with utility room.

The kitchen

The Living Room

The Study from two points of view

It has five generously sized bedrooms, a bathroom, shower room and a downstairs cloakroom.

There are many built in cupboards for storage, a garage and a large garden with an orchard. It has oiled-fired central heating and has recently been redecorated throughout. The location is quiet, bordering the grazing marshes.

The House and Church from the garden.

17