The Parish of Upper Coquetdale February 2018 The Parish of Upper Coquetdale in the Diocese of Newcastle Key: Diocese and individual parishes- red outlines Alnwick Deanery - black outline Upper Coquetdale Parish - shaded blue (the white area is Kidland, population 7, which is outwith the parochial structure). St Michael and All Angels Alnham; St Michael and All Angels Alwinton; Christ Church Hepple; St Mary the Virgin Holystone; All Saints Rothbury; St Andrew Thropton The Parish of Upper Coquetdale Parish Profile A statement prepared by the Parish of Upper Coquetdale PCC Summary 2 Introduction 3 Section 1 Our parish 3 People 3 Places 4 Community life 7 Section 2 Our church life 11 Pastoral arrangements 11 Our congregations 12 Traditions and services 16 Ministry 17 Church-based activities 18 Section 3 The wider context 22 The Diocese of Newcastle 22 Alnwick Deanery 22 Neighbouring parishes 22 Ecumenical relationships 23 Section 4 Our church buildings 24 Section 5 The Rectory 29 Section 6 Finance 29 Section 7 Our hopes for the future 30 Growing together 30 A new incumbent 32 Annex A Data dashboard 35 Annex B 2016 approved accounts separate pdf 1 Summary Where we are One of the largest parishes in Newcastle Diocese at c150 square miles, much of it ‘remote rural’ and in the Northumberland National Park A population of nearly 4000, slightly older than the average for the diocese. Around 2400 people live in Rothbury (the service centre), the rest in scattered villages, hamlets and dispersed dwellings. New development in Rothbury is bringing in younger people, not yet reflected in church attendance A vibrant and wide ranging community life An ability to enjoy ourselves, especially when food and cooking are involved! A united benefice and parish with three parish churches and three daughter churches, all but one listed; five schools of which two are Church of England schools both becoming academies in April 2018 There is a range of services and worship, moderate and liturgically based, mostly Eucharistic; two Fresh Expressions (Messy Church and Growing Church) In addition to the incumbent and House for Duty Assistant Priest (part time), there is one Self Supporting Assistant Priest (Headteacher at one of the C of E schools) and four (soon to be five) retired clergy with PTOs. Where we’ve come from Deep historical and cultural heritage born of 5000 years of continuous occupation with strong local loyalties to individual settlements and churches, which is both a strength and a challenge in working together The parish was created in 2004 and in 2011 a Pastoral Scheme put in place a single PCC and three DCCs. These arrangements are still developing as we seek to strengthen a whole parish approach by growing together whilst respecting the distinctiveness of individual churches and communities Strong ecumenically based outreach through Upper Coquetdale Churches Together (established 2004) providing opportunities for us to engage more with local communities Since 2012, refurbishment and renovation work has included Hepple church roof and drainage, All Saints organ, Thropton windows, a sound system and dry rot treatment at Alwinton and new lighting at Holystone. HLF funding has been approved for a major refurbishment project at Alnham (work starts early summer 2018). Where we’re going - our hopes for the future Growing together, a desire to grow spiritually, recognise and build on our many strengths, celebrate our faith in more varied worship, grow together as one parish and bring God’s love to a new and wider community Developing our capacity and confidence - not least our ability to turn thinking and ideas into effective action, by working together, valuing each others’ skills both in day- to-day activity and in major projects (eg restoring and reordering our churches) Becoming more outward looking both within and outside the parish. 2 Introduction The Parish of Upper Coquetdale lies approximately 30 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne and stretches to the Scottish border. It is a surprising place with a deep and varied heritage born of 5000 years of continuous settlement, still evident in the landscape, buildings and cultural traditions. http://coquetdaleanglican.org/ At around 150 square miles, most of the parish is classified as ‘remote rural’. It is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country, largely unspoilt hill and moor country. Much of the parish is in the Northumberland National Park. It includes part of the active Ministry of Defence Otterburn Training Area, and the whole length of the River Coquet and its banks from source to sea is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Recent television and radio series have attracted a growing number of visitors and holidaymakers who are unfailingly delighted by the area’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Upper Coquetdale is truly a very special place! Section 1 Our parish People In 2011 the parish had 3954 people (Census data) - 27 people per square mile. The average for England is 1050 people per square mile. Whilst the population is older than the average, official data shows that the rate of ageing is very much in line with the national rate of change, perhaps reflecting the impact of new housing in the western part of the parish: 17% of the population is aged 0 to 17 years (England 21%) 56% of the population is of ‘working age’ (18 - 64) (England 62%) 26% of the population is 65+ (England 16%). there is very little ethnic mix 70% of people describe themselves as Christian life expectancy (83 male, 89 female) is amongst the highest in the diocese (although this is lower than for the country as a whole). Overall, the parish ranks 7890 out of all 12,554 Church of England parishes on the Index of Multiple Deprivation (i.e. it has a lower than average level of deprivation and is relatively wealthy compared with other parishes in the country and the diocese). As elsewhere this 3 masks a significant range. On all the poverty indicators (child, working age and pensioner) the parish is amongst the lowest (i.e. least affected) in the diocese. Employment in land-based primary industries such agriculture, forestry and quarrying at Biddlestone continues, although numbers are much reduced. Diversification into tourism related employment continues and the dominant sectors are now construction, retail and motor repairs, public administration, education, and health and social work. A significant proportion of people work mainly at or from home although increasingly people commute to surrounding towns (Alnwick, Morpeth) and to Newcastle and Tyneside. Whilst unemployment is low so are average wages. Alongside this there are pockets of considerable wealth in some of the major land Harvesting a traditional hay meadow in estates and elsewhere. There is very little the valley crime or anti-social behaviour although there are other stresses and strains in rural areas, including physical and social isolation. In addition to local families whose roots in the area go back many generations there are more recent residents. These include young families and couples and, whilst the children attend the local schools, they may find it difficult to find time to participate much in village or church life. Another group is newly retired or semi-retired, often professional, people who have made - and could afford to make - ‘lifestyle choices’ to live in a beautiful place which values community life. Temporary residents are also an important group including second home owners, holiday makers staying in local hotels, pubs and B+B establishments and holiday lets, campers and caravanners (both static and touring). Places 4 The parish is geographically dispersed with villages at Rothbury, Thropton, Hepple, Holystone, Harbottle, Alwinton, Netherton and Alnham, and a number of hamlets and outlying farms. Although traffic volumes are low, many roads are single carriageway and used by quarry and logging lorries, heavy agricultural vehicles and at the west end of the valley some military vehicles. If you wanted to drive from one end of the parish to the other it might take an hour, but the scenery is spectacular and always a joy! Superfast broadband connectivity is improving rapidly. There is good mobile phone reception in Rothbury and immediate surroundings but no coverage further up the valley. Rothbury had a population of around 2,400 in 2011 having grown by 20% since 2001. It has been identified for local growth, with nearly 200 new properties built over the past 10 years and planning permission granted for a further 140. As well as retired people, this is bringing in younger people, mostly families or couples, many working outside the village. http://rothbury.co.uk/ Rothbury & Coquetdale. Past and Present. As the principal service centre for Upper Coquetdale, Rothbury is well served for a village of its size. Shops include the Co-op supermarket and a Mace store, Boots the chemists and a wide range of independent stores. Vacancies, when they arise, are taken up fairly quickly, often related to tourism. A new farming and outdoor supplies outlet has opened on the industrial estate south of the river, joining a builder’s merchant, engineers, garage and bakery. There is also a starter centre for new businesses in the village centre. Church Street Rothbury on a Fair Day Services include doctors’ surgery, police station, vet, banks, library, post office, swimming pool, gym, cycle hire, hairdressers. There is also a good choice of social venues - pubs (many serving food), cafes, restaurants, hotels, a fish and chip shop and other takeaways; plus a Parish Hall and the well- appointed Jubilee Hall with performing space and meeting rooms. A parish celebration in the Jubilee Hall On the south side of the river there are two permanent caravan sites which are well used all the year round.