Parish Council
The past year has felt like a period of consolidation for St Mary’s, following the many busy months of reordering the church and reclaiming the garden.The archeological dig attracted a lot of interest, with many younger people helping out. On reflection, this has been a huge community event carried out during the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. This in itself is a great achievement.
Rewind to 2011 and St Mary’s was under imminent threat of closure, due to lack of finances and a dwindling congregation. The process was halted when a small core of villagers swung into action, raising funds and establishing that the village did not want to lose this special
place. At this time the nearby Methodist Chapel was still in use.
In February 2020 an open meeting was held and it was agreed to amalgamate the village Heritage Group within St Mary’s, which is proving to be very positive. If you haven’t yet ventured into the church or visited the community garden around the back of the building, it comes highly recommended.
With the resumption of many village events, June was a busy month as we took part in the Open Gardens, closely followed by the successful Village Heritage Day, which was organised by the small team of Heritage Group members. In July we joined the Community Church for the Folk Festival Tent Service in South Zeal Playing Field and teas and cakes were served at the Sticklepath Village Day. The long, hot months of summer helped these events along the way.
Revd Stephen Cook and Derek Moore led the Hot Topics discussion sessions in the Devonshire Inn, during October. A much welcomed return and well supported and enjoyed, along with a pasty and pint. Other special events are held throughout the year which attracts audiences from the locality and beyond.
Whilst numbers for the church electoral roll remain static at 8, we continue to be supported at the monthly 8.30am BCP Holy Communion. The Village Praise services with the Community Church are held each month in St Mary’s, or at the village hall during the colder weather. We continue to build on the strong links with the Sticklepath Community Church and the services are enhanced and supported by their musicians.
The Carol Service in December saw a hugely packed church and our thanks to Revd Gill George and Mrs Dunn and Mrs White from South Tawton school for their excellent organisation.
During the past year St Mary’s has hosted 5 funerals which included, more recently, possibly the first Quaker led gathering for our church with the burial taking place in the Quaker Burying Ground. As a small church, we are mindful that it provides a suitable, quiet space for family and friends to gather prior to going onto the natural burial ground at nearby Beer Cross.
Underpinning all the happenings of the past three years, when income has been severely impacted, an approach was made to our General Synod representative to highlight our concerns. And some adjustments have now been made to the monthly common fund. We realise this will be reviewed, but for now it has given some breathing space to our somewhat beleaguered finances.
The Friends of St Mary’s, continue to meet every few months with matters addressed and actioned. The most pressing being the need for replacement of the overhead elderly heaters and the setting up of a QR / Sum Up facility. The use of cash has severely changed following
the pandemic so a card reader is a high priority. As we are part of the Archangel’s Way Pilgrim route, the need to update details on the village website would be very helpful.
We are seeing an influx of visitors, both locally and from further afield and our links with the Finch Foundry bring increased footfall from this National Trust site. We continue to be encouraged by the interest shown from other church communities in the locality, who are
keen to see what changes have been made, and the positive impact this has generated within the wider community.
More recently, we have introduced a ‘give and take’ Sticklepath Pantry which is sited at the rear of the church. This is in its infancy but so far, is being well received. The pew footboards have also been removed, which it is hoped will make the sitting experience a more comfortable one. Along with the pew cushions, topped with locally spun wool, a wonderful work in progress which is helping move us away from grim Victorian discomfort and into the 21st Century!
As recently as this past Monday, a group of adults and children gave their time as part of the Big Help Out, working on garden tasks.
After many years seemingly in the shadows, at last, this little building is becoming a welcome place to rest and savour the peace, to enjoy community events and to have found a well deserved sense of belonging in the village. Thanks are extended to our community for
their continuing support in very many ways.
Carol Johns,
Church Steward 10.5.2023