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Some information for new residents

Welcome to the Benefice of Deerhurst with Apperley, Chaceley, Forthampton, Stoke Orchard, Tredington and Hardwicke

This information comes to you with warmest greetings and good wishes from your local church, as you settle into your new home in our parish. We hope that you will quickly feel at home, and a part of the community. As you will see from the information provided, both from the church and from the wider community, there is plenty to be involved in, and I am sure that you will be welcomed in whatever you do. If you would like any further information about church life and activities, please contact one of the churchwardens, or a member of the Ministry Group.

Ministers

Associate Priest, Rev^d Kay Mundy: 01452 780634; therevkaymundy@gmail.com

Ministers with Permission to Officiate: Rev^d Charles Whitney: 01684 296764; Rev^d Nicholas von Benzon: 01452 780711

Churchwardens

Deerhurst with Apperley

Mr Roger Taylor: 01452 780561; rogertaylor47@googlemail.com

Chaceley

Mr Nigel Horner: 01452 780347; hornerhm@gmail.com

Forthampton

Mrs Phillipa Holloway: 01684 292401; phillipasilks@btinternet.com

Mrs Lynda Remmer: 01684 297903; lynremmer@aol.com

Tredington and Stoke Orchard

Mrs Tessa Mills: 01452 780434; tessamills@yahoo.co.uk

Licensed Readers for the Benefice

Mrs Mary-Ann Preece

Mrs Vivienne Troughton

Ministry Group

Rev. Kay Mundy: 01452 780634; therevkaymundy@gmail.com

Mrs Mary-Ann Preece: 01452 840621; rogerpreece@yahoo.co.uk

Mr Roger Taylor: 01452 780561; rogertaylor47@googlemail.com

Mrs Tessa Mills: 01452 780434; tessamills@yahoo.co.uk

Dr Corinna Pippard: 01452 780645; corinna@pippard.co.uk

Mrs Vivienne Troughton: 01684 293540; vivtroughton@googlemail.com

Our Churches

	Deerhurst The Priory Church of St. Mary. With a claim to being the oldest church in the country, it dates from the early eighth century. It was originally part of a monastic settlement which lasted until the Middle Ages, when it became the parish church. It is widely known as a fine example of a Saxon church, and is the church with the longest history of continuous worship of any church in the country: it is well worth exploring.
	Apperley Holy Trinity Church. Built in the nineteenth century by the Strickland family of Apperley Court, as a chapel of ease. It is not a parish church as such, being in Deerhurst parish, but it serves the village of Apperley, being loved by many for its quiet location and simplicity of design.
	Chaceley The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist. This church is Norman in origin. The building contains a number of interesting features and items, such as the village stocks.
	Forthampton The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin. This Norman Building still houses an original stone altar. Historically, as can be seen from the monuments, the church has a close attachment to the Yorke family of Forthampton Court. The village stocks are to be found at the bottom of the church drive.
	Stoke Orchard The Parish Church of St. James the Great. This church also has Norman origins, and in medieval times was a pilgrimage church, that is, it was a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Again this is an interesting building, and inside it is notable for having extensive wall paintings which feature the life and deeds of St James.
	Tredington The Parish Church of St. John the Baptist. A Norman church with a wooden tower, which is a somewhat unusual feature for a church. There are a number of other interesting features, both inside and out, not the least of which is the fossilised remains of an ichthyosaur!

Church Services

	1^st Sunday	2^nd Sunday	3^rd Sunday	4^th Sunday
Apperley Holy Trinity	11.00 a.m. Family Eucharist		11.00 a.m. Family Worship
Apperley Methodist		11.00 a.m. Morning Service		11.00 a.m. Holy Communion
Chaceley	11.00 a.m. Holy Communion	4.30/6.30 p.m. Songs of Praise		11.00 a.m. Holy Communion
Deerhurst	8.00 a.m. Holy Communion	11.00 a.m. Holy Communion	8.00 a.m. Holy Communion	6.00 p.m. Evensong
Forthampton	6.00 p.m. Evensong	9.30 a.m. Morning Worship	11.00 a.m. Sung Eucharist	9.30 a.m. Holy Communion
Stoke Orchard		9.30 a.m. Holy Communion		9.30 a.m. Holy Communion
Tredington	9.30 a.m. Holy Communion		9.30 a.m. Holy Communion

Contacts for other Churches

Apperley Methodist Church: Senior Steward, Mr Peter Stych, 01452 780508

Tewkesbury Baptist Church: 01684 293044

St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church: 01684 293273

Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings and Funerals

For baptisms and weddings, please contact the benefice administrator as soon as you have a date in mind.

A confirmation service is usually held once a year, and preparation classes for both adults and young people are arranged for this.

Funeral services can be arranged in any of our churches, or our ministers can conduct the service at the crematorium if you wish. Please ask the funeral director to contact the benefice administrator to make the necessary arrangements.

Church groups

The Friends of Deerhurst Church

This is an organisation which was set up in 1983, with the objective being ‘to assist in the preservation, enhancement, and upkeep of the fabric, of Deerhurst Church’.

Deerhurst church is believed to have been founded around 700 A.D., and is the church with the longest history of continuous worship anywhere within the country. It is one of our finest surviving Saxon buildings, and as such, it is indeed a national treasure.

The church’s upkeep, however, is a very costly business, and cannot be maintained by the residents of such a very small village. Hence the formation of the ‘Friends’, which now boasts a membership of about 250. Every year, in September, an annual lecture is held which has a Deerhurst theme, and which is always interesting and popular. The ‘Friends’ contribution to major repair works in recent years has been of immense value, helping to restore and maintain the fabric of this beautiful and sacred structure. Your membership would be very welcome.

Friends of Tredington and Stoke Orchard Churches

Contact Mrs Mary Juckes, 01684 292143

Little Pips (Pram Service)

This takes place on the first Monday of every month, and is for babies and pre-school children, and their carers. It is an informal service, with story-telling, and followed by refreshments. The service is held in Apperley church at 2:30 pm, and finishes at about 3:00pm, to enable any parents or carers with older children to collect them from school. A good opportunity for young mums, dads, or carers, to meet up together. Telephone the Rev^d Kay Mundy, therevkaymundy@gmail.com.

Youth Group

This is a monthly group that meet at Apperley Church, on the 2^nd Sunday of the month from 6.30 to 7.45pm, and is for young people aged 11-16. This group is led by the Rev^d Kay Mundy; please feel free to contact her if you are interested in coming along and joining in the activities, which include games, discussion, outings, and lots of eating!

The Choir

The choir is led by one of our organists, Mr John Holloway, at Forthampton church, and new members are always welcome. If you would like to join the choir, please telephone John on 01684 292401.

Bellringing at Deerhurst

This group meets regularly throughout the year at Deerhurst church. For more details regarding this group, please contact Mr Richard Hart on 01452 780505.

Deerhurst and Apperley C of E Primary School

This school caters for pre-school, infant, and junior aged children. The school has always enjoyed active friendly links with the church. Telephone 01452 780374.

The Severnsider Magazine

Published monthly, and will keep you up to date with what is happening in your village and surrounding area. Magazine organiser Mr Roger Taylor, 01452 780561, editor Dr Corinna Pippard, 01452 780645; corinna@pippard.co.uk

Other Activities in Deerhurst and Apperley

Apperley Village Hall

The following activities are held at the Village Hall:

Art Group Yoga

Bowls Club Pilates

Country Dancing Severnsiders Lunch Club

DCCG Lunch Club Spanish

Tai-Kwan-Do Upholstery

Zumba U3A History of Art

For more details, please contact Sue and Pete Woodthorpe 01452 780610.

Apperley Football Club

For more information contact Mr Chris Freeman, 01452 684945, or email cjfree79@gmail.com.

Apperley Cricket Club

A thriving community club, with the First X1 playing at a high level, but also a Second X1, a Sunday X1, and an energetic youth section. Contact the Chairman, Mr Anthony Wilkes, for further details, on 07774 725112, or Secretary Mr Roger Taylor on 01452 780561.

Mobile Library

This visits the area every other week, and has and has five stopping points in the parish.

Deerhurst Community Care Group

This group can assist with transport to a hospital, doctor, or dentist, collecting prescriptions, or sitting with the sick or elderly. Contact Mrs Sue Ross, 01452 780894.

Severnside Senior Citizens Club

Mrs Velma Sutton

Apperley Open Door Lunch Club

Mrs Maureen Reeves

Other Activities in Chaceley and Forthampton

Severnside Walking Club

Once a month for company and exercise, nothing too strenuous, ending with a meal at a local hostelry. Contact Mr Alan Brown 01684 291220; skepcott1@gmail.com.

Other Activities in Tredington and Stoke Orchard

Bellringing

Contact Mr Jim Mitchell, 01684 296773

Golf

Sherdon’s Golf Centre, floodlit driving range, putting green and 9 hole pay and play course, 01684 274782

Play Group

Tredington Teddies, at Tredington County Primary School, leader Kerry French, 07925 182096

	Deerhurst and Apperley	Chaceley	Forthampton	Tredington and Stoke Orchard
Chairman of Parish Council	Len Attard, 01452 780665	Jonathan Hodges, 01452 780603	Alan Brown, 01684 291220	R Chatham, 01684 292532
WI President			Veronica Silber, 01684 591513	Vivienne Troughton, 01684 293540
Royal British Legion
Coffee Morning	Last Friday of the month, 10.30 am, Holy Trinity Church	1^st Thursday of the month, 10.30 am, Village Hall
Village Hall Bookings	Pete Woodthorpe, 01452 780610	Marian Saxton, 01452 780000	Jean Morgan, 01684 297854	Frank Juckes, 01684 292143
Refuse Collection	Thursday	Tuesday	Tuesday	Thursday