IRONSTONE
BENEFICE
PROFILE
November 2013
Foreword by the Bishop of Dorchester
From scanning the pages of advertisements in the Church Times it is clear that the ‘traditional’
House for Duty Post with its focus on visiting, Sunday and weekday services, work in schools, and
the occasional offices is becoming an increasingly rare animal (and that is, of course, as true in
this diocese as anywhere else).
Happily this post in the Ironstone Benefice is the exception which proves the rule and will be very
well suited to any priest who is looking to perform that more traditional role. Its six parishes and
eight churches are characterised both by their beauty and their individuality. With a strong lay
team and good deanery support this is a benefice that is thinking a great deal about its mission
to all who live within its boundaries. Its schools and work with children are a particular focus of
its ministry but its pastoral concerns go far wider than that. Meeting with its Wardens recently,
and hearing about their PCC discussions, reminded me how deeply engaged they are with their
villages and they, like John Reader, the Vicar, are looking forward to the arrival of a new
colleague to share with them in the work of the benefice. I warmly commend it to you.
7th November 2013
Deddington Deanery
Deddington Deanery, the most northerly deanery of the Oxford Diocese, is unusual in the diocese
in bringing together a rural hinterland and an urban area that contains some of the most
deprived neighbourhoods in England. The current estimated population is 65,000, of whom
45,000 live in Banbury and 20,000 in the surrounding villages. Banbury is continuing to expand
and there is a prospect of significant housing development around the town as well as smallerscale development in some of the villages.
There are twenty nine parishes in the deanery with thirty four churches, grouped into twelve
benefices. Within Banbury, there are five single-parish benefices, one of which, St Francis’s, is a
Local Ecumenical Partnership. Ironstone is one of three multi-parish benefices north and west of
Banbury; there are four other rural benefices, each centred on a large village, to the south of the
town.
The Deanery Mission and Pastoral Plan approved in October 2012 identified as mission priorities
developing our work with schools and young people, encouraging and developing lay leadership,
planning for an effective Christian presence on the new estates being built in and around
Banbury and making better use of our church buildings as witnesses to a living faith.
The deanery currently has eleven beneficed stipendiary clergy posts, two house-for-duty posts,
four curates in training, five self-supporting clergy and eight licensed lay ministers. In some of
the deanery parishes people have been authorised for preaching, leading worship, or leading
communion services by extension. The clergy chapter is friendly and supportive, with four
business meetings a year, a quiet day together and summer and Christmas socials to which
partners are invited. Licensed lay ministers, retired clergy and Methodist ministers are invited to
full chapter meetings. One of the full-time stipendiaries takes the lead on interfaith work, and
another serves as Deanery Training Officer. A self-supporting minister serves as Deanery
Vocations Officer and is available to enable people to explore their lay or ordained vocation.
The Deanery Synod meets four times a year in different parishes throughout the deanery. The
diocese has devolved considerable responsibility to deaneries to develop the diocesan strategy of
“Living Faith” to shape the life and witness of the church at a local level. We believe as a deanery
we have the enthusiasm to meet this challenge.
The Revd Jeff West, Area Dean Deddington Deanery
Banbury
Banbury railway station is covered by Cross Country and Chiltern Railways providing links to
London, both direct and via Oxford and Reading and also to the North. Banbury to London
Marylebone takes 55 minutes.
Banbury has a modern canal-side shopping mall, swimming pool and leisure centre, numerous
pubs and restaurants and a market every Thursday and Saturday.
It is served by the Horton General Hospital with special facilities provided by the John Radcliffe
and other hospitals in Oxford.
Key responsibilities specific to the local situation
Mission and Outreach
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developing lay ministry across the benefice
building relationships with the wider communities
developing work with the schools through the Open the Book project assemblies
and governor roles
supporting the Messy Church project (JIFFY)
Leadership and working collaboratively
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being an integral member of the Ministry Team
attending staff and planning meetings with the above
Worship and preaching
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leading regular worship in all the churches of the benefice
sharing worship with the team at benefice services
leading assemblies and school services in church
Pastoral Care
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visiting as appropriate in the benefice
conducting Occasional Offices when pastorally appropriate
attending social and fund raising events within the parishes
Stewardship and benefice organisation
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attending PCC meetings on occasion
attending Benefice Council meetings
helping to recruit and support churchwardens and other PCC officers
providing cover within the Team for holidays
Personal development and spirituality
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taking responsibility for own personal development, if appropriate in
consultation with the Incumbent
attending appropriate Diocesan training courses
The key responsibilities listed above may be supported by long and short term objectives to be
agreed between the post holder and the incumbent (in the case of an assistant priest) or the
Archdeacon and Church Wardens (in the case of incumbents)
Other responsibilities
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Participate in the Bishop’s Ministerial Development Review scheme and engage
in Continuing Ministerial Development
Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as required in line with the
benefice needs.
Take care for their wellbeing including health and safety and building a good
repertoire of spiritual and psychological strategies
The Ironstone Benefice
Location
The Ironstone Benefice is situated to the North West and adjacent to the town of Banbury at the
extreme north of the Oxford Diocese.
It consists of seven rural parishes with eight churches in which regular services are held.
All the villages within the benefice have their own particular charm. They were once the homes of
farmers and agricultural workers but now a majority of the dwellings are owned and occupied by
people who work in commerce, industry or the professions. Nevertheless most of the land in the
benefice is still agricultural. Iron stone was extracted on a large scale, much of it transported to
iron works in South Wales. Although this has ceased, quarrying for road stone is still active in a
part of the benefice.
All the churches in the benefice date from the 12th century and are constructed of Hornton stone,
local ironstone.
House for Duty Accommodation
Horley Vicarage is a 4 bedroomed modern detached house located in the centre of Horley itself.
There is oil-fired central heating and the Diocese recently replaced the old windows and doors
with new ones to improve heat retention. It is on exactly the same design as Wroxton Rectory and
is the standard design for a clergy house. There is a garden at the rear and the house is only a 4
minute walk from St Etheldreda’s church.
Present Ministry Team
Rector
Associate vicar (House for Duty)
Licensed Lay Readers
Revd Dr John Reader
Vacant
Mrs Lindy Bridgeman
Mrs Trina Wilcock
Mr Giles Dessain
Benefice Administrator
Parishes within the Benefice
Each of the seven parishes within the Benefice has its own Parochial Church Council. The
parishes are:
Balscote, Drayton, Hanwell, Horley, Hornton, Shenington with Alkerton and Wroxton. There is a
church in each of the parishes, with the exception of Shenington with Alkerton where there are
two, one in each village. In most cases there are two churchwardens at each church.
Relative sizes of the Parishes
Church electoral roll figures do not give a guide to the relative sizes of the parishes. The numbers
on the civic electoral roll are:
Shenington with Alkerton
313
Wroxton
298
Hornton
275
Horley
261
Hanwell
222
Drayton
192
Balscote
172
Balscote Parish Profile
The Parish Church of St
Mary Magdalene
We have a broad based
membership with a leaning
towards gentle Anglo Catholicism.
We have one Eucharist per month
and one village service. We use
‘Common Worship’ for the
Eucharist.
Music – We are fortunate we have the services of two organists and 4 members of the Benefice
choir. We do not however sing any of the service other than hymns.
Church Activities - A small bible study group meets with the NSM and is mentioned as two of
the Balscote Community are members.
The PCC organises several major events such as Harvest Lunch in the Church, Christmas Bazaar,
and special service days are recognised with contributions from children etc.
Charity Support - Historically Balscote has given 10% of its income away each year to home and
overseas charities. We support the Katharine House Hospice each year with the proceeds of our
around the village carol singing.
Electoral Roll 12, Parish Share £4682
Community – We are a close knit rural community consisting of 80 dwellings grouped in a
‘Conservation Village’. We have no shops, no village hall, one public house and a limited bus
service. All but two of the properties are privately owned. There is virtually no local employment in
the village. All surrounding land is farmed. A new village hall has recently been opened which
provides an excellent facility for the village and also sometimes for benefice events.
Strengths – A small dedicated group whose belief is not shaken by apathy towards religion. An
equally dedicated Ministry team who through care demonstrate Christian beliefs and values.
Parish weaknesses – We are constantly fighting to raise money for Parish Share and repairs
such that we lose sight of worship. We tend to regard worship as a ‘Sunday’ event and have no
real program for the rest of the week and we do not have enough young people in the
congregation. The Parish is so small that numbers of children and young adults are so
correspondingly small to preclude clubs.
Drayton Parish Profile
St Peter’s Church Drayton
Drayton is a small village of some 90
houses and around 200 people, including
30 residents at Glebefields Nursing Home
(formally Saint Peters Vicarage).
The number on the Electoral Roll is eleven. Numbers who attend Church vary from 8 to 25 with
special services usually attracting more. Saint Peters is a beautiful Church, built of stone and set
in a quiet area of great natural beauty. The Church building, although almost eight hundred years
old, is in a very good state of repair, both externally and internally. There is a good heating
system which in normal conditions is quite adequate. Because the Church is in a fairly remote
position it has neither water nor toilet facilities. The pipe organ is adequate for our needs and is
tuned annually .The pulpit has some beautiful carved Biblical scenes around its side. The
churchyard is quite extensive with plenty of scope for re-burial. Drayton has a small Village Hall
for Church and village functions. There is also a village Public House.
Worship - With other Churches in the Benefice we have joint services on the fifth Sunday of the
month. On special occasions (Saints days for example), mid-week, we share with other Parishes
in the Benefice, the Church is available for Baptisms, Marriages and Funerals. The Church is
usually kept locked because of its isolated position with the key being available on request. Our
PCC has chosen to continue to use the Book of Common Prayer for both Communion and Matins.
We follow the Common Worship Lectionary for our Readings as this fits in with the general
pattern of other services in the Benefice.
Mission - To promote the Gospel, following the Anglican tradition and to welcome residents and
visitors and encourage their participation in Church life (Special services, regular worship and
reading)
Money - We pay our Parish Share in full and we contribute to Charities both at home and abroad.
Electoral Roll 11, Parish Share £4870
Horley Parish Profile
Community - There are about 135 houses in the village of Horley. The population is in the region
of 330 and the demographics have altered dramatically in recent years with influx of many young
families (in comparison to the 1970s when there were 5 children only in the village)
There are 16 people on the Church Electoral roll, however as a response to the declining
numbers the PCC introduced a ‘friends of St.Etheldreda’s roll’ which is felt to be less daunting
and which has a membership of app 35.
There is a public house with a reputation for fine ale and village social events. The nearest Post
Office and shops are in Banbury and its outlying estates. There is a Farm shop and a village hall,
the latter run by the Michael Hardinge Trust and where a Mums and Toddlers group meets on a
Monday morning.
There has not been a school in Horley for some years: those of primary school age are served by
those in Hornton and Shenington. The building in which the primary school was housed has
always been owned by the Michael Hardinge Trust. It is used extensively as a Parish Hall and for
social events often in conjunction with the church for concerts and events such as the Harvest
Festival lunch and Frugal lunch on Good Fridays.
As to public transport, regrettably there is no longer any bus service.
There is, in addition to the facilities offered by the Michael Hardinge Trust, a thriving cricket club.
It has a number of successful adult teams and an extremely popular youth section which meets
twice a week throughout the summer. The yoga and the mothers and toddlers group are also well
attended.
Most houses are privately owned and an additional 67 dwellings have been built in the last 40
years. The village suffers from the widely experienced problem of affordability for the less well-off
and this problem has been exacerbated by the selling off of the majority of the thirty local
authority owned premises. Notwithstanding the recent falls in prices the cost of housing remains,
in common not only with North Oxfordshire, but also the country as a whole, a concern. It is
however the inevitable price we pay for the wonderful coincidence in our area not only of
beautiful countryside and architecture but also of a proximity to both London and Birmingham
There are very few employers in the village; however there are now 2 new business parks, one at
the old ironstone works and one at Glebe Farm. They have largely superseded both the old
quarries and agriculture as the main local employers. Residents of Horley travel not only locally
but often as far as London on a daily basis as part of their work.
There is a good blend in Horley of long standing residents and those who have joined the
community more recently. The number of families with young children continues to increase and
there are an increasing number of activities such as the children’s choir which performs at the
annual nativity play to occupy them.
Church Life - The medieval church of St Etheldreda forms the focal point of the village. It is
Grade 1 and is listed in Pevsner’s 1000 most beautiful churches in England. It is also the largest
of the benefice churches.
Normal Pattern of Services - First Sunday, Holy Communion (CW) 11.00am. Fourth Sunday,
Village Service 11.00am
Music - We have two organists in the village,
Mr Charles Cozens who is one of the wardens and
Mr David Kyle who is PCC secretary. St Etheldreda’s
has two organs: a three manual Miller Electronic and
a very rare and valuable Snetzler Chamber which
originated in one of the Chandos palaces in London.
The precise circumstances of its journey from there to
Horley are fortunately lost in the mists of time. All
major festivals have an organist.
Mission - We seek to keep the Church at the centre of village life and to extend its reach while
not compromising on its values. There do not seem to be any contentious under-currents with
regard to spirituality.
Strengths - We have a beautiful Church and a talented and committed ministry team. The work
of the parish is supported by a committed PCC and a core of devoted lay parishioners. Services at
Christmas, Easter and other festivals are extremely well attended. Our social events form a
useful interaction with those in the village who are not perhaps frequent attendees of our
services.
Weaknesses - Most of our services are not well attended: often the congregation is fewer than
ten. The numbers attending are completely inconsistent and this is a matter which the PCC has
been attempting to address in recent years.
The cost of maintaining such a beautiful and historic church is prohibitive. While the hard work of
the PCC, and in particular our treasurer has secured grants and donations of over £50,000
towards urgent restoration work, the total needed is a little short of £200,000.
The parish has a covenant income of approximately £4,000 per annum, which against our
annual minimum upkeep costs of £10,000 + means that we rely constantly on the goodwill and
fundraising activities of the parishioners, and in particular our Ladies Guild who are very active.
Threats - The parish share (and its yearly increase) is a very considerable burden on a small
parish, particularly when it also has to meet the financial demands of the fabric of the church
building.
Opportunities - There is great scope for greater inclusion/encouragement of children to
participate in some of the services. Until 10 years ago there was a thriving Sunday School and its
reinstatement/development would provide a solid foundation for the future of the village’s
spiritual life.
Electoral Roll 16, Parish Share £7429
Hanwell Parish Profile
Community - The village of Hanwell is one of the smaller of the Ironstone Benefice and the only
one located to the east of the Warwick Road. The village consists of some 105 houses and has a
population of less than 200 adults. In the last few years there has been a welcome increase in
the number of incoming families with young children. There is a high rate of resident movement
in and out of the village with 5 – 10 houses changing annually. Hanwell has a pub/restaurant, a
recreation field, a children’s playground and a village hall. There is a twice weekly bus service.
Virtually the whole village is designated a Conservation Area. The overwhelming majority of
houses in the village, both old and new, are built in the local Hornton stone. This together with
the layout of the village makes Hanwell a very attractive place to live.
The church is well attended on major occasions – Easter, Harvest Festival, Remembrance
Sunday, Carol Service and Christmas – but routine services throughout the year attract only a
small, regular congregation of 5 - 10. Until the last interregnum Hanwell opted for both BCP and
Common Worship services, though the lack of a permanent organist has much reduced the
congregational singing. Nevertheless, the church plays a prominent part in the life of the village
and churchgoers although it is not always clear that most of the village value and appreciate the
church. The PCC is supportive of the church being used for community events and this has been
facilitated by the replacement of pews by chairs. For the last few years the village has staged an
annual Barn Dance in the church on the evening before the Harvest Festival and with the Church
decorated for the ensuing festival, this has proved very popular. The church also hosts
occasional concerts, plant sales and teas during the Village Open Gardens Sunday. Proceeds
from most village fund-raising events are shared equally between the Church and the Village Hall
Committee- the latter is very active in running and promoting a wide variety of events throughout
the year, not least the annual Village Lunch.
As with many similar small parishes, the regular congregation is largely elderly and retired. In the
last few years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of families with young
children in the village but these tend to swell the congregations for major festivals only. There is
currently no Sunday School, nor any call for one from the village. Nevertheless the PCC does
make continuous efforts to attract more people to the routine services and all non-routine events
are always well advertised.
In 2008 we were able, through a large donation supplemented by funds raised by the church, to
undertake a complete renewal and refurbishment of the church bells .The Tower Captain has
recruited a ringing band, which is still growing in numbers and the church bells are now ringing
out over the village on a regular basis.
Hanwell PCC currently pays one tenth of the annual Benefice Share. The parish has never failed
to pay its share and normally does so in one tranche. Good financial management over several
years, generous donations, annual fundraising events all contribute largely to the parish’s
revenues and added to the recurrent income from Gift Aid donations, allow the PCC to meet the
routine expenses of the church and to generate a modest annual surplus. When all bills for the
bell project have been paid, the church should retain a satisfactory level of reserves but no more
than is prudent to guard against sudden accident to an old building.
Hanwell, once 3 miles from Banbury, is now less than 1 mile away from the town’s outer
boundary. The threat of further development very much concerns the Parish Council and the PCC,
both of whom work in close harmony to protect this lovely small village. The size of the village
means that virtually everyone is recognised if not well known.
The Parish Council and the PCC enjoy a close and beneficial relationship and consult on all the
issues that affect both. The PCC has been able to assist the PC in various undertakings to the
mutual benefit of both and the wider village. Both councils recognise that it is very important that
such a close and fruitful relationship is maintained at all times. The regeneration and
sustainment of a true village community is an ongoing aim of the Parish Council and, in this, the
church community plays its full part.
History - Historically, Hanwell was just a very small farming village. In 1490 the building of
Hanwell Castle started and, in 20 years, a large, four tower castellated house had been built by
the Cope family. Some 280 years later the direct family had died out and the castle fell into
disrepair- a condition somewhat accelerated by villagers aspiring to both building materials and
Tudor artefacts. One original tower survived, recently very beautifully restored, and this is thought
to be the first use of red brick for domestic building in the country. The village was located in the
centre of the Hanwell estate which still surrounds it and remains in-hand as a working arable
farm. Until the end of the Second World War most properties in the village were owned by the
estate and let to tenants. Almost all are now owned privately.
St Peter’s Church
The original church building dates from
the 12th Century. It is the oldest church of
the eight in the Benefice and is listed
Grade 1.
In the first 30 years of the 14th Century,
the nave roof was raised with the
incorporation of a clerestory, and the
chancel, side aisles and tower were
added.
The carvings on the arcade columns within the church and the beautiful friezes on the north and
south exteriors of the chancel (professionally conserved in 1995)all date from this enlargement
of the church. During the English Civil War, Hanwell Castle became a base for the Parliamentary
cavalry and, being so used, escaped much of the more unsympathetic treatment meted out to
other churches by the puritan soldiery. Electric lighting, plain Victorian reglazing in most of the
windows, were the main changes in the next 350 years and the unrendered interior stonework,
primitive carvings, minimal decoration and sheer size of the church in so small a village, make it
a very compelling place and earned it an inclusion in Simon Jenkins’s 1000 Best Churches.
Electoral Roll 13, Parish Share £4628
Hornton Parish Profile
Community - Hornton is a village of approximately 130 households mainly built of Hornton
stone with a village green in the centre. There are four farms farming land surrounding the
village, the whole of which has been designated as a conservation area. It nestles in the valley
and does not suffer from a through traffic problem.
There is a village primary school, which serves Hornton, Horley and Hanwell and a school bus
between the villages. There is also a pre-school facility and a children’s playground. Hornton has
a village hall/sports pavilion, a tennis court/recreational surface and one friendly pub. Milk and
papers are brought to the village daily and there is also a blacksmith’s workshop.
Hornton is a true community and this is reflected in the life of the village. Many interests are
served through: Thursday Club (similar to Sunday School) and Brownies for children, and Keep
Fit, Yoga, Gardening Club, Drama Group, W.I. History Group and Teams of football, dominoes and
cribbage for the adults. Residents care about Hornton. The village belongs to Neighbourhood
Watch. There is a newsletter called the Gossip, a website www.hornton.org.uk a Goodwill Fund to
provide fruit or flowers for the sick, bereaved or troubled and even a facility for a birthday
greeting to be posted on the flag pole! Once a year at a May Day Fair, the village raises money for
all the clubs and facilities.
St John the Baptist Church, Hornton
St John the Baptist Church is Grade 1 listed and
dates from the late 12th century. There is a main Altar,
a Lady Chapel and a Children’s Chapel plus a clergy
vestry and a small catering/flower vestry. The nave,
the north aisle, the Norman pillars and the
cylindrical font are original. Hornton is fortunate to
have several examples of medieval paintings
rescued from beneath lime- wash applied at the
time of Cromwell. There is a 14th Century Pieta on the left of the chancel and a figure of the Black
Prince as St George on the right. The painting over the arch is a notable “Doom” where pale
figures represent the Last Judgement, complete with angels on the left and the red fires of hell
on the right. The church is well cared for through the PCC and the Ladies Working Party. The
latter clean it, change and care for the altar cloths and decorate weekly with flowers as
appropriate for the seasons. This working party also raises money for the church and all the
village charities. They run a Christmas Evening Bazaar in the church, organise bingo nights and
provide refreshments after village, benefice and festival services. The Bell Tower contains five
bells by Henry Bagley of Chacombe - one is badly cracked but four can be chimed.
Hornton also has a Victorian Methodist Chapel. There is a covenant between the Anglicans and
Methodists and the congregation worship together twice per month and on festival occasion,
alternating venues. There are many instances when Hornton sees itself as one worshipping body
and people from both communities enthusiastically support initiatives by the two churches often
either working or fund raising together.
The pattern of services in Hornton is:
1st Sunday - United Village service in Chapel at 11.00am
2nd Sunday - United Village Service or United Eucharist (alternate months) 11.00am in church.
3rd Sunday - Matins 10.30am in Church (Methodist Chapel 11.00am)
4th Sunday - Eucharist 11.00am in Church (Methodist Chapel 11.00am)
5th Sunday - Benefice Service in one of eight benefice churches 10.30am (Methodist Chapel
11.00am)
Average Attendance 2011-12
United Village 20 but rising sharply on special days such as Dedications, Mothering Sunday,
Remembrance Sunday, Parish Picnic and other special occasions. United Eucharist 20 with rises
as above and at Baptisms. Matins 12: Anglican Eucharist 11: Christmas United services:
Christingle 70: Blessing of Crib 70, Midnight Mass Christmas Eucharist 45.
Children are welcome at any service and there is a toy box available in church. Village services
are shorter and less formal than others: sometimes following the readings of the day and taking
a ‘ Patterns for Worship’ approach but sometimes following a theme such as remembrance, an
annual service, a service to celebrate human relationships etc. Services are taken by a member
of the Ministry Team with Licensed Lay Ministers. From 1st January 2011-1st December 2012
there were: 4 baptisms; 4 weddings and 2 funerals.
Music in the Church - In August 2008 a new electronic Allen organ was installed in the church
using money from a bequest from a much loved village musician. However, the tragic death,
through accident, of one organist and the ill health of another has meant that there has been an
increase in the use of recorded music at services. Benefice services have the benefice choir
leading hymn singing and there is a less formal Hornton village choir which sings at some
festivals in both the Church and the Chapel.
The Church fulfils its parish share. There is a Covenant system, weekly collections and collections
at special services. Once a year in September on the day of the Oxfordshire Churches’ Cycle Ride,
there is an appeal to the whole village to give a donation to the church. Other monies are raised
at village events and by the Ladies Working Party.
The Mission of the Church - In Hornton there is a strong feeling of joint mission as we are
bound together by our Covenant. We have regular PCC/Methodist Council planning meetings.
The Vision of the Christians in Hornton is to pray and to involve more people in the life of the
church and the chapel; to touch more people with the Gospel, not necessarily by encouraging
them to regular attendance but by bringing them into, and making them want to be more part of
the Christian community. The Methodists have been instrumental in organising a popular
Hornton Churches Together weekly coffee morning, and they have updated and increased the
use of their building. The benefice Messy Church project (JIFFY) meets in the chapel on the
afternoon of the 1st Sunday in the month.
Strengths and Weaknesses - Hornton is a caring community in itself and this is a great
strength of the village. The Churches and Chapel communities are part of this caring but they no
longer exclusively hold this ministry role. The number of activities within the village makes for a
tight-knit community but this no longer centres around the Christian faith.
Electoral Roll 16, Parish Share £7681
Shenington with Alkerton Parish Profile
Community - There are some 170 dwellings and some 300 residents on the civic
electoral roll in the two villages of Alkerton and Shenington. There are no shops, just a
public house with a fine reputation for good food in Shenington. The two villages are
separated by a valley and a steep road and each village has a pride in its own welfare.
The nearest Post Office and shops are about three miles away to the north in Tysoe which
is in Warwickshire.
School - There is a village primary school with 104 pupils. This is a new building
completed in 2003, replacing one established in the 1870s. It is a Voluntary Aided
Church of England foundation and has a reputation for a very high standard of primary
education both academic and physical and also spiritual. The Rector or the Bishop’s
appointee is a statutory governor of the school. There is also a Nursery School. This
operates from the Village Hall in Shenington and makes use of the village green for play
and exercise.
Public Transport - There is a limited bus service to Banbury (7 miles) and Stratford upon
Avon (18 miles).
Leisure Facilities - There is a small village hall, converted from two cottages, that has
been recently overhauled to meet new government legislation on health and safety and
access for disabled people. The hall is used by the Parish Council for its meetings, by the
Gardening Club for regular monthly meetings, for whist drives in aid of church funds and
for other functions organised by the Village Hall Social Committee such as quizzes, Bingo,
wine tasting evenings and the annual Christmas tea for the “over-sixties”. There is
currently no youth club activity in the hall but there is a dancing class for children which
currently uses the hall. Members of the parish are allowed to use the tennis courts at the
school under controlled conditions.
Housing - Most of the houses are privately owned but there is a group of four bungalows
designed for rental by the elderly.
Patterns of employment
- There are three family run farms within the parish but
both offer very limited opportunities for employment. Many work in Banbury or other local
towns and quite a few travel to work in London, Oxford or Birmingham. There is a small
business park, the Sugarswell Business Park and a number of small businesses on
Shenington Airfield. None of these offer a significant source of employment to members
of the parish. An agricultural machinery distributor and servicing company on the airfield,
Bruce Hopkins Ltd., provides limited local employment.
Issues and Concerns - Maintaining a sound community life in the face of frequent
changes of residents. Apart from the village green there are no facilities for sport or
recreation, particularly for young people.
Church Life
There are two churches in the parish, Holy Trinity Church, Shenington and St. Michael and
all Angels Church, Alkerton. Both churches are within the Ironstone Benefice and are
served by the Benefice’s ministry team. The congregation, the majority of whom are aged
over 60, are happy to accept Communion Services led by a woman priest. There are 18
people on the church electoral roll and a further 20 supporters on the church nonelectoral roll.
Holy Trinity Church, Shenington - Holy Trinity
is a beautiful early 12th century Grade II* church set
close to the village green.
Normal Pattern of Services
Second Sunday in the month, Holy Communion (CW) at 6.00pm
Fourth Sunday in the month, Holy Communion (CW) at 6.00 pm
Both services of Holy Communion use a Common Worship
booklet. The service of Evensong which has been held on
alternate Sundays uses the Book of Common Prayer.
Music - The organ situated between the Vestry and the Choir is believed to be by a
famous organ builder Henry Willis and dates from about 1880. Taped music is used
when an organist is not available. There is no regular choir but a village choir is raised
each year for the Christmas Carol Service. A member of the village sounds the Last Post
and Reveille on the trumpet at Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday Services.
Church attendance - The attendance at services on normal Sundays varies from 12 to
20. At festival services it is typically some 50 to 70 with over 150 at the 2012 Carol
Service and a similar number at the 2012 Crib service.
St. Michael and all Angels Church, Alkerton
St Michael’s is a small 12th century Grade I
church - an architectural gem set in idyllic
surroundings. A special feature is a recently
created Lady Chapel designed for devotional
worship by individuals or small groups.
Normal Pattern of Services - First Sunday in the
month, Holy Communion (BCP) at 9.00 am. On
each first Wednesday of some months, a candlelit
service of Quiet Communion is held.
Church attendance - The average attendance at services is 8.
Music - There is no organ and the service on the first Sunday is a said service.
Parish Activities
Support to charities - In the past year we gave some 7.5% of our income to charities at
home and abroad. These included special appeals from Christian Aid, the Poppy Fund, St
Luke’s Hospice and The Agricultural Benevolent Fund.
Parish Funding - Some 30 people pay regularly by banker’s order using Gift Aid. The
Church Fete, held regularly in July, and supported by many members of the village is also
a major source of income. Other important sources of income are village whist drives and
sponsored floodlighting of Shenington Church.
Web site - There is a parish web site sheningtonalkerton.btck.co.uk showing details of
the two churches with a gallery of photographs. It also maintains a record of church and
village news
Publications - There is a “Guide to the Parishes”, prepared by a former rector and his
wife and updated for the millennium, which outlines features of the churches and the
parish. In addition the villages publish a free magazine twice yearly “The Shenington
Green" with a section on Church News. It is distributed to every household in the parish.
Copies of both publications are available in both churches.
A detailed study of the parish is contained in a conservation appraisal report available on
line at http://www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3708
Church Position within the Parish
Mission – We feel our mission locally is
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To lead by example
To continually provide a broad based service pattern to provide for all
tastes,
To ensure that the Churches in Alkerton and Shenington are always
available to the village providing a “heart” for the community and
To support the fabric of the churches and pass on two buildings of great
beauty to future generations.
Parish Strengths – These are difficult to itemise but include
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Adequate funding of church activities, at least over the short term.
A committed group of lay and ordained clergy providing dedicated ministry
support
A small group of members whose belief is not shaken by apathy towards
religion.
A dedicated team of church cleaners, flower arrangers and several people
who read regularly in church.
Church fabric - Both churches are in good order. Actions recommended in the current
year’s Quinquennial Inspection reports have been carried out together with repairs to the
churchyard walls at both churches.
Parish Weaknesses – Perhaps we are able to see weaknesses elsewhere than in
ourselves but we cannot be certain that we shall continue to be able to raise money to
meet the share and the cost of building repairs. Ministers are so thin on the ground they
are unable to visit and encourage attendance or demonstrate the amount of pastoral
care they would like.
Opportunities, Vision & Priorities – We have no plan for the future but have an open
attitude to changes which could benefit the worshipping community, perhaps by involving
more younger people in the running of the Church.
Electoral Roll 16, Parish Share £8585
Wroxton Parish Profile
All Saint’s Church Wroxton
Welcome to the rural village of Wroxton in North Oxfordshire. Our Church of All Saint’s has occupied the
same site since the 14th century. Wroxton Abbey is a place of history and was the home of Lord
Frederick North, Prime Minister to George III. We live in an area much visited and admired.
The Rectory stands behind the church and has its own access. The Rectory is a modern four
bedroomed house with a large sitting room and a dining room leading off the kitchen, central heating,
the usual offices and a separate study. The whole area is open and quiet. It is surrounded by
friendly neighbours and figures much in the life of the Church's social activities.
We have three services at 9.45am during the month, two CW Eucharists and one 9.45am lay led
village service. The ladies arrange flowers and keep the Church clean. The grass is cut by a
contractor. We also have a team of bell ringers who practice each week and ring for the first
and third Sunday services and also weddings when the bells are requested. Church attendance
is, on average, eighteen.
Our PCC consists of thirteen villagers who give their time generously and the Electoral Roll is
held at thirteen.
During the year we hold a street fete in aid of the Church. This is our main fund raiser. Later on
we have a harvest lunch which follows the Harvest Service. We also have a "Whist and Hot
Supper" evening and perhaps one more fund raising event. These events, hopefully; keep our
Parish Share in view.
The village school is a popular and well run establishment. Numbers are boosted by many
children brought in from Banbury. It is a Voluntary Aided School. The Rector takes an Assembly
once a week.
Activities in Wroxton include a gardening club, sports club - football and cricket and yoga in
term time. There is now an active Local History Group which has arranged events in the
church.
At some point in the future there may be further housing development on land owned by
Trinity College, Oxford who own and run the Wroxton Estate.
Electoral Roll 19, Parish Share £8585
Benefice Activities
Current Pattern of Services
1st Sunday of the month:
2nd Sunday of the month:
3rd Sunday of the month:
4th Sunday of the month:
5th Sunday in the month:
9.00 BCP HC Alkerton
9.45 CW HC Balscote
9.45 CW HC Wroxton
11.00 CW HC Horley
11.00 Matins Drayton
11.00 Hornton service in Chapel
3.30 Messy Church in Hornton Chapel
8.45 BCP HC Hanwell
9.45 CW HC Wroxton
11.00 CW HC Hornton
11.00 BCP HC Drayton
6.00 CW HC Shenington
10.30 Benefice Service - rotates around the benefice and
is normally CW HC.
8.45 BCP HC Hanwell
9.45 Village Service Wroxton
9.45 Village Service Balscote
11.00 BCP HC Drayton
11.00 Matins Hornton
11.00 Village Service Horley
6.00 CW HC Shenington.
10.30 Benefice Service
Church services
The Eucharist is the most frequent service using either Common Worship or the Book of Common
Prayer. Evensong using the Book of Common Prayer and a Village Morning Service using
‘Patterns of Worship’ also form part of the worship in the benefice. There is a strong ecumenical
link with the Methodist church in Hornton with a pattern of regular shared services.
There are currently monthly Benefice services which are also held on any 5th Sunday in the
month, and these are well attended with congregations of 30 to 70. There have been a number
of special services in recent years, notably for Palm Sunday (with donkey) and a celebration of
village life held on Rogation Sunday. Pictures of these events appear on the Arthur Rank Centre
flier website. It has become customary for the host parish to provide refreshments after the
Benefice Service. Over recent years a Benefice Act of Remembrance has been held at 11am on
November 11 at Alkerton War Memorial, the only memorial not inside a church within the
benefice.
With a complicated pattern of services there has to be flexibility, so the pattern of services above
is the one that is operating whilst we are one member of staff down, but using retired clergy and
others to cover on Sundays 1 and 2. On special Sundays this pattern will change as appropriate
to accommodate the requirements of individual congregations, i.e. notably on Remembrance
Sunday, Mothering Sunday, Christmas and Easter. Whether this remains the pattern for the
future will depend upon discussions once a House for Duty minister is appointed.
The number of occasional offices varies from year to year. During 2012 there were 11 weddings;
22 funerals and 21 baptisms. In other words, on average there is an occasional office at least
every week.
Benefice Council
A benefice council consisting of the ministry team and the churchwardens of the seven parishes
was established some years ago with the objective of developing a benefice community. It has
met about twice a year and coordinated the arrangements for benefice services and the
apportionment of benefice share. The share has been paid in full over the 17 years of the
existence of the benefice.
Benefice Choir
Singing at the Benefice services is led by a Benefice Choir of some 12- 20 members.
Benefice Banner
It has become the custom to carry the recently made Benefice Banner to the sanctuary of each
respective church at the Benefice services.
Benefice Newsletter
A newsletter is distributed across the Benefice once a month. It includes details of the services
throughout the benefice.
Primary Schools within the Benefice
There are three small Church of England primary schools in the benefice. They are at Hornton,
Shenington and Wroxton. Wroxton and Shenington are both Voluntary Aided and Hornton is a
Community School that has now entered into a federation with the Warriner School which is the
Secondary school for the area. They have now registered an interest in Academy status as has
Wroxton School. The Rector is a member of the governing body of Wroxton, takes weekly
assemblies in Wroxton and a monthly assembly at Shenington. Both schools come into their
respective churches on a termly basis as well as for special services at Harvest and Christmas.
There is now an Open the Book team which takes assemblies in both of those schools.
A Prayer for the Ironstone Benefice
Eternal Lord God, to know You is to share with You in the work of your Church. Bless, govern and
direct the parishes of the Ironstone Benefice and all who live in our villages- the sick and the
bereaved, the housebound and the troubled, those who have no-one to care for them, our loved
ones, our neighbours and the children in our schools, our friends and ourselves.
Give us all the love of Mary Magdalen, the zeal of John the Baptist, the purity of Etheldreda, the
humanity of Peter, the sanctity of All the Saints and the protection of Michael and all the Angels
But above all Eternal Lord God give us the knowledge of Yourself, God the Holy Trinity. That
nothing shall be too much for us, no task too great, no challenge too overpowering, no vision too
small and no faith too weak. That in all things, in everything we do- God may be glorified and His
kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
ROLE DESCRIPTION
SECTION ONE: DETAILS OF POST
Role title:
Type of Role:
Name of benefice:
Episcopal area:
Deanery:
Archdeaconry:
Conditions of Service:
Key contact for
Clergy Terms of Service:
Accountability
Associate Priest
House for Duty (Sunday plus 2 days)
Ironstone Benefice
Dorchester
Deddington
Oxford
Please refer to Statements of Particulars document issued in
conjunction with this role description
Consultant Archdeacon. This role falls within the Clergy Terms of
Service formally known as Common Tenure. The Consultant
Archdeacon is the designated person by the Bishop of Oxford to
issue the Statement of Particulars for the post holder.
Priests share with the Bishop in the oversight of the Church.
Whilst, as an office holder, the individual is expected to lead and
prioritise work in line with the purpose of the role, they are
encouraged to inform the incumbent (in case of assistant priests)
and Archdeacon and Church Warden/s (in case of incumbents)
about any issues exceptional or otherwise that have the potential
to affect ongoing delivery of ministry
SECTION TWO: CONTEXT
Wider Context
As a diocese we are committed to holistic mission, working through the framework of ‘Living
Faith for the Future’. We have defined our purpose as ‘to join with God in creating a caring,
sustainable and growing Christian presence in every part of the Diocese of Oxford, enabling every
Christian and every Christian community to live and share the love of God, seen in the life of
Jesus Christ.’
Within the Living Faith framework we are inviting every parish, benefice, Board and Committee to
paint their own unique work of art using the colours of:
 Sustaining the Sacred Centre
 Making Disciples
 Making a Difference in the World
 Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership
 Creating Vibrant Christian Communities
These priorities are supported centrally by resources, training, conferences, workshops,
missioners and much more. We are inviting benefices and their priests to share a vision rather
than demanding a response.
We encourage a priest to have a ministerial interest beyond the benefice which is a personal
specialism and may be made available to the wider church – a ‘sixth day ministry’. Above all, we
want all our priests to flourish in ministry and to deepen their enjoyment of God.
SECTION THREE: ROLE PURPOSE AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
To exercise the cure of souls shared with the bishop in this benefice in collaboration
with colleagues including the praying of the Daily Office, the administration of the
sacraments and preaching
To have regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy (as described in the
Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy) and other relevant
legislation including
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bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making
him known to those in your care.
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instructing the parishioners in the Christian faith
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preparing candidates for confirmation
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diligently visiting the parishioners of the benefice, particularly those
who are sick and infirm
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providing spiritual counsel and advice.
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consulting with the parochial church council on matters of general
concern and importance to the benefice.
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bringing the needs of the world before God in intercession
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calling your hearers to repentance and declaring in Christ's name the
absolution and forgiveness of their sins
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blessing people in God’s name
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preparing people for their death
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discerning and fostering the gifts of all God’s people
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being faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s
presence, as he reveals his kingdom among us
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to share in the wider work of the deanery and diocese as appropriate,
for the building up of the whole Body Christ
A. To exercise the cure of souls shared with the bishop in this benefice1 in collaboration with
colleagues including the praying of the Daily Office, the administration of the sacraments
and preaching
B. To have regard to the calling and responsibilities of the clergy (as described in the
Canons, the Ordinal, the Code of Professional Conduct for the Clergy) and other relevant
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Bringing the grace and truth of Christ to this generation and making him known to those
in your care.
instructing the parishioners in the Christian faith
preparing candidates for confirmation
diligently visiting the parishioners of the benefice, particularly those who are sick and
infirm
providing spiritual counsel and advice.
consulting with the parochial church council on matters of general concern and
importance to the benefice.
bringing the needs of the world before God in intercession
calling your hearers to repentance and declaring in Christ's name the absolution and
forgiveness of their sins2
blessing people in God’s name2
preparing people for their death
discerning and fostering the gifts of all God’s people
being faithful in prayer, expectant and watchful for the signs of God’s presence, as he
reveals his kingdom among us
C. To of share in the wider work of the deanery and diocese as appropriate, for the building
up of the whole Body Christ
Key responsibilities specific to the local situation:
Mission and Outreach
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developing lay ministry across the benefice
building relationships with the wider communities
developing work with the schools through the Open the Book project assemblies
and governor roles
supporting the Messy Church project (JIFFY)
Leadership and working collaboratively
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being an integral member of the Ministry Team
attending staff and planning meetings with the above
Worship and preaching
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leading regular worship in all the churches of the benefice
sharing worship with the team at benefice services
leading assemblies and school services in church
Pastoral Care
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visiting as appropriate in the benefice
conducting Occasional Offices when pastorally appropriate
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attending social and fund raising events within the parishes
Stewardship and benefice organisation
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attending PCC meetings on occasion
attending Benefice Council meetings
helping to recruit and support churchwardens and other PCC officers
providing cover within the Team for holidays
Personal development and spirituality
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taking responsibility for own personal development, if appropriate in
consultation with the Incumbent
attending appropriate Diocesan training courses
The key responsibilities listed above may be supported by long and short term objectives to be
agreed between the post holder and the incumbent (in the case of an assistant priest) or the
Archdeacon and Church Wardens (in the case of incumbents)
Other responsibilities
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Participate in the Bishop’s Ministerial Development Review scheme and engage
in Continuing Ministerial Development
Carry out any other duties and responsibilities as required in line with the
benefice needs.
Take care for their wellbeing including health and safety and building a good
repertoire of spiritual and psychological strategies
The key responsibilities listed above may be supported by long and short term objectives to be
agreed between the post holder and the incumbent (in the case of an assistant priest) or the
Archdeacon and Church Wardens (in the case of incumbents)
SECTION FOUR: BENEFICE SUMMARY
Benefice:
Patron(s):
PCCs: (Names and numbers only)
Churchwardens:
Ministers:
Buildings:
Churchyard(s):
Resolution A,B,C:
Church Tradition:
Pastoral Reorganisation proposals:
Ironstone
First Turn: The Lord Chancellor
Second Turn: Earl de la Warr; Oxford Diocesan Board of
Patronage; The Bishop of Oxford
Balscote, Drayton, Hanwell, Horley, Hornton, Shenington
and Alkerton, Wroxton
Dorothy Foulk, John Rake, Charles Nixon-Eckershall,
Charles Cozens, Tim Allitt, Sally Tweedsmuir, John
Bridgeman, Cyril Anson, Sylvia Coleman and Madeleine
Stead
The Revd Dr John Reader
Alkerton Church, Balscote Church, Drayton Church,
Hanwell Church, Horley Church, Hornton Church,
Shenington Church, Wroxton Church
Seven churchyards are still in use
No resolutions have been passed
Mild Anglo-Catholic but no strong traditions
No proposals at the moment
SECTION FIVE: KEY CONTACTS FOR THE ROLE
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Churchwardens and Ministry Team as above
Area Dean: The Revd Jeff West
Associate Area Dean: The Revd Linda Green
Deanery Synod Lay Char: Mrs Lindsay Mills
Area Bishop: The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE
Consultant Archdeacon: The Ven Hedley Ringrose
Parish Development Adviser: Vacant
SECTION SIX: OTHER
Relevant Documentation
This role description is issued alongside and should be read in conjunction with the following
documents:
The Ordinal
The Canons of the Church of England
Guidance for the Professional Conduct of Clergy
Bishop’s Licence
Statement of Particulars issued to the office-holder on successful appointment
Diocesan Clergy Handbook
Parish Profile
Ministry Action Plans (MAPs)
Any objectives discussed and agreed between the post holder and the supervising minister
Role description signed off by: The Venerable Hedley Ringrose
Consultant Archdeacon
___________________________________
Date:
To be reviewed next on: