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The Cranmer Group Aslockton, Hawksworth, Orston, Scarrington, Thoroton, Whatton ‘He maketh me to lie down in green pastures’ Hawksworth Pastures New Welcome to the Cranmer Group… The Group is served by an enthusiastic team Formed in 1967 (originally 4 parishes, 2 of three Readers covering a range of gifts more joining later) it embraces the villages and ministries, as well as a hard-working of Aslockton, Hawksworth, Orston, Scarrington, and committed part-time administrator. Thoroton and Whatton. We are proud of our There are two successful primary schools, connection to Archbishop Cranmer, who Aslockton C of E (of which the Incumbent was born in Aslockton. is an ex-officio governor) and Orston. There are also good relationships with the Methodist Essentially a rural community, farming is chapels at Scarrington and Orston. no longer the main industry, with several local businesses, and many people commuting All the church buildings are in a good state or working from home. of repair and financially healthy. In the following pages we hope that you will learn something about the sort of community we are, and some of our hopes and aspirations for the future. Welcome to the Cranmer Group… Formed in 1967 (originally 4 parishes, 2 more joining later) it embraces the villages of Aslockton, Hawksworth, Orston, Scarrington, Thoroton and Whatton. We are proud of our connection to Archbishop Cranmer, who was born in Aslockton. Essentially a rural community, farming is no longer the main industry, with several local businesses, and many people commuting or working from home. Around the villages Group Activities Each village has its own character, and ● ‘special’ services include Healing (recently we celebrate this diversity and view the variety re-introduced and popular), 5th Sunday across the Group as important. Whilst special Group service with a wide range celebrating the integrity of each worshipping of guest speakers, Remembrance Sunday community, we also strive to develop as a and ATC (Air Training Corps) parade services. Group. ● our Seder supper and Group socials are attractive to non-churchgoing friends Currently ● regular Groups have been meeting on a Most households subscribe to the Group weekly or monthly basis to discuss and reflect on a range of Christian books magazine Contact, giving details about during the year forthcoming events throughout the 6 villages, and lots of useful information for residents. ● each year we select a Lent course of study which is supported across the Group The Group Council meets 4 times a year to ● a contemplative prayer group meets discuss policy and strategy. every 3 weeks in the home of a member of the church Aslockton Church and the Thomas Cranmer Centre Aslockton Aslockton is the largest village in the Group Previous village activities continue in the (population 1200). As well as a good number new award winning venue with the addition of families, there is, almost inevitably, an of new uses – everything from Rainbows, increasing retired population. Aslockton has Brownies and Guides to professional touring many community organisations. The village theatre and concerts, Parish Council meetings, has a shop incorporating a Post Office, a social events and parties for all ages, karate, pub, hair-dresser and several small businesses yoga, table tennis, art club and local history plus a C of E School. and a successful fair-trade shop. The 2003 Parish Plan identified a need for St. Thomas’ church, built in 1891, is listed improved facilities to help engender a better grade II. It has a warm red brick interior, community spirit. In December 2009 the giving it a welcoming feel with some very Thomas Cranmer Centre opened. Attached modern stained glass windows, one depicts to the church, the centre is a modern our connection to Thursday Island, North community hall which replaced a 90 year Queensland. old church hall that was desperately out of date and unsuitable for improvement. St Thomas’ have a service every Sunday morning. On a monthly cycle, using Common Worship the first Sunday is the least formal, the second week being Holy Communion and the others Morning Prayer. Members of the congregation take part in reading the lessons and all services are followed by refreshments and fellowship time. During December 2013 local families, interest groups and local businesses were invited to place an illuminated Christmas tree in the church, with the theme of “light up your church for Christmas”. This resulted in 32 trees – demonstrating a wide range of style and innovation, and the open church was visited by many people, some had never been in our church before, to admire the display. We are sure this event will be repeated and grow in the future. Around Aslockton Hawksworth Hawksworth is one of the smaller villages Services are held once a month alternating in the Cranmer Group set in beautiful between Holy Communion and Morning countryside with 50 households and a current Prayer. The small easy going congregation is population of 109. There is a healthy mix forward looking and willing to try new ideas. of commuters, children and retired villagers. Festival services are attended by over 50% of the village. St Mary and All Saints Church is a Grade 2 listed building much loved by the villagers. Since 1987 the church has been a dual Recently a comprehensive history of the purpose building as it would have been church was completed by the Clerk to the centuries ago. The nave was deconsecrated Parish Council. During the past two years the and is now central to the social functions tower has been restored at a cost of £90,000. and the life of the village. It has been used as Funding for the church is provided by the PCC a theatre, concert hall, for sales of pictures and Hawksworth Community Association by local artists and a polling station. It is a which is a registered charity. popular venue for charitable events and parties for adults and children - we can even fit a bouncy castle inside the church! Hawksworth Church Challenges for the future include increasing the participation of younger people in worship, turning the general good-will and support of our villagers into more focused and active involvement and encouraging more interaction within the Cranmer Group. Around Hawksworth Orston Church Orston Orston is important historically with a Saint Mary's Church is grade 1 listed and population approaching 500, surrounded by has a prominent position in the centre of farming land but now largely an attractive the village. It is now in good condition after commuter village. It contains a riding school substantial repair work during 2013. It has with livery stable, some small businesses, a a recently installed tea point, WC and vestry. pub and a deli shop with cafe. Regular services are evening prayer on the first One of the oldest villages in the Vale of Belvoir Sunday of the month (average attendance 22), with an entry in the Domesday Book, it is in holy communion services on second and a rural conservation area with several listed fourth Sundays (16) and morning prayer on buildings. There is a thriving village hall third Sundays (14). which organises regular activities, a very successful primary school and the Parish There is a unique Christmas eve pageant Council works hard for the benefit of the which attracts 400/500 people. The loyal bell village. A typical country village, quiet on ringers call the residents to prayer, and the surface but active underneath. announce to all that the church is open for business! 50 families contribute to our pledged giving funding. There is a strong PCC whose aspiration is to work with the Vicar and Readers for a growth in the congregation, particularly of younger members. Around Orston Scarrington Scarrington, with a population of less than Festival, Carol and Christmas Day services; 200, has a fairly even mix of retired, working the Carol service is especially popular with and young people. There are sixty five houses, generally more than 70 in the congregation three working farms and two livery yards. and a friendly social event afterwards. Although Scarrington does not have a pub, The Church is in good condition and benefits shop or village school, the local WI hall from a new organ, and sound system, provides an important focus for lively village providing facilities for music when an organist events, local clubs, and meetings. The village is not available. It has a steeple tower with three also boasts a unique heritage landmark, a original bells dated 1450. In 2002, after a pile of horse shoes that stands over 17 feet high! fund raising campaign, the medieval bell frame was replaced and a new 1650 bell was St. John of Beverley is a 13th century, grade added, then a smaller treble bell, and finally one listed, Church in a conservation area a specifically cast bell generously gifted by the that holds a single service on the 3rd Sunday Southwell Diocesan Guild of Bell Ringers. of each month at 9:00am. There are also well attended Easter, Harvest Scarrington Village Scarrington is a wonderful, rural, village with a welcoming community who would undoubtedly respond to enthusiastic new leadership. More information is available at: www.scarringtonchurch.org.uk Around Scarrington Thoroton Church Thoroton Thoroton has a population of 120, with 50 We have also donated money to local and houses and 2 working farms, and with a overseas charities, an activity we see as an good social mix including a number of young important part of our church responsibility. families. Whilst a number of people work locally, many commute to Newark, Grantham The annual Garden party in 2013 raised over and Nottingham.