The All Saints Southill Parish Profile
PARISH PROFILE OF ALL SAINTS, SOUTHILL (Joint Benefice with All Saints, Clifton)The Location
Southill is situated in lovely countryside in Mid Bedfordshire between the local market towns of Biggleswade and Shefford, which together provide the essential amenities. Each town has a Health Centre with associated medical practice, a selection of shops including supermarkets, public lending libraries, a variety of restaurants and schools catering for pupils aged between 4 and 18 years: there is a school in Southill for pupils aged 4+ to 8. Biggleswade also offers a leisure centre and indoor swimming pool. A regular bus service links Southill with both these towns and a half-hourly train service runs from Biggleswade to London (Kings Cross) . Road links are good with easy access
There are extensive walks in the local area, whilst not far away is the Headquarters of the RSPB which provides opportunities for nature study walks. Nearby is the Swiss Garden, a beautiful example of an early 19th century garden combining ornamental features and picturesque architecture, whilst the Shuttleworth Collection housed at Old Warden is unique. It is the world's only exhibition of flying historic aircraft dating from 1909 up to World War II and just beyond. Local facilities are available for all major sports, both indoors and outdoors, and there are several golf courses nearby. The championship courses at Woburn are only a short drive away.
Slightly further afield, at some 10 miles distance lies the county town of Bedford which offers a better selection of shops and both a multi-screen cinema and theatre. One of the two local hospitals is situated in Bedford, the other is at Stevenage. The historic university city of Cambridge, which offers many cultural attractions, is some 25 miles away as also is Milton Keynes, renowned for its indoor shopping centre, theatre and the largest indoor ski centre in Great Britain.
Slightly further afield, at some 10 miles distance lies the county town of Bedford which offers a better selection of shops and both a multi-screen cinema and theatre. One of the two local hospitals is situated in Bedford, the other is at Stevenage. The historic university city of Cambridge, which offers many cultural attractions, is some 25 miles away as also is Milton Keynes, renowned for its indoor shopping centre, theatre and the largest indoor ski centre in Great Britain.
The Community
Southill Parish is geographically the largest in the Deanery, but sparsely populated. Much of the land is committed to farming, whilst Southill Park is extensively wooded. The Parish comprises three villages - Broom, the largest, Southill and Stanford - and the hamlet of Ireland which together cover an area of 2291 hectares. The population totals some 1350, of which about a fifth are retired people. The occupational mix is broad and although home ownership now predominates, a significant number of the approximately 500 houses are rented. All the Parish lies within both Southill Parish Council and Mid Bedfordshire District Council. The only other place of worship within the Parish is a Strict Baptist Chapel in Southill. The Methodist and Roman Catholic churches are in Biggleswade and Shefford.
Southill Parish is geographically the largest in the Deanery, but sparsely populated. Much of the land is committed to farming, whilst Southill Park is extensively wooded. The Parish comprises three villages - Broom, the largest, Southill and Stanford - and the hamlet of Ireland which together cover an area of 2291 hectares. The population totals some 1350, of which about a fifth are retired people. The occupational mix is broad and although home ownership now predominates, a significant number of the approximately 500 houses are rented. All the Parish lies within both Southill Parish Council and Mid Bedfordshire District Council. The only other place of worship within the Parish is a Strict Baptist Chapel in Southill. The Methodist and Roman Catholic churches are in Biggleswade and Shefford.
Almost all the houses in Southill are owned by the Southill Estate and provide rented accommodation for the villagers, many of whom work for the Estate or other local employers. There is a thriving Village Stores, with a sub-post office open each weekday morning, to meet the immediate needs of all those living in the Parish, a Lower School which caters for up to 75 children in the first five years of schooling (4+ to 8+) and which has just been assessed as good by an OFSTED Inspection Team, a recently refurbished Parish Hall which provides facilities for both intra and extra village activities including a playgroup, a well known public house and a cricket team which plays at one of the nicest grounds in Bedfordshire situated within Southill Park. A millennium wood was planted in 2000 to celebrate the event.
Broom village houses the majority of the population of the Parish in almost exclusively privately owned properties, most of which have been built in the last 40 years. Many of the residents commute to work and thus there is perhaps somewhat less of a community spirit than that evident in Southill. Nevertheless, with a village hall - also recently refurbished - which provides facilities for a wide variety of activities, including a playgroup, and two public houses both of which again are well known within the local area, there are good opportunities for social interaction. A gravel quarry has been operating for about 10 years between Broom and Upper Caldecote, but the impact of the quarry upon the local community has been minimal and upon completion of the extraction process the planned restoration of the area will provide a welcome additional recreational facility for the Parish and beyond.
Stanford and Ireland are much smaller centres of population and lack many of the amenities offered by both Southill and Broom, but Stanford has a public house with a restaurant and large children's play area whilst a pub with rooms and a noteworthy restaurant is located within Ireland.
Broom village houses the majority of the population of the Parish in almost exclusively privately owned properties, most of which have been built in the last 40 years. Many of the residents commute to work and thus there is perhaps somewhat less of a community spirit than that evident in Southill. Nevertheless, with a village hall - also recently refurbished - which provides facilities for a wide variety of activities, including a playgroup, and two public houses both of which again are well known within the local area, there are good opportunities for social interaction. A gravel quarry has been operating for about 10 years between Broom and Upper Caldecote, but the impact of the quarry upon the local community has been minimal and upon completion of the extraction process the planned restoration of the area will provide a welcome additional recreational facility for the Parish and beyond.
Stanford and Ireland are much smaller centres of population and lack many of the amenities offered by both Southill and Broom, but Stanford has a public house with a restaurant and large children's play area whilst a pub with rooms and a noteworthy restaurant is located within Ireland.
The Church The Church, which is situated on the boundary of Southill Park, was at one time surrounded by estate workers cottages, but a decision taken in the early 19th Century moved the villagers away from the Estate and left the Church in a somewhat isolated location on the edge of the village. It is a simple, light and attractive building with interesting historical associations - the tomb of Rear Admiral Byng is contained with other family members in an attached columbarium - set in a pleasant and tranquil churchyard.
Over the past 15 years various restoration works have been undertaken including three major programmes. In 1992 a programme of work to the stonework of the Nave was completed at a cost of £20,000. In 1995 further repairs to the stonework of the tower were undertaken and completed at a cost of £57,500, whilst 2002 saw the end of work to reroof the Chancel and North and South Aisles, repair work to internal ceilings and redecoration of some of the internal walls and ceilings of the church at a cost of £98,500. Affording these repairs was only possible by dint of receiving generous grants from English Heritage and other charitable organisations, supported by the efforts of the congregation. Despite the work undertaken the church still suffers from rising damp, does not have suitable access for the disabled and currently has no toilet or adequate provision for a Sunday School. All these matters are currently under discussion by the PCC. A further consideration is that the nave roof will probably need replacement during the next 10 years. Presently, Church funds stand at some £33,000 of which £19,000 is committed to the restoration fund.
As a celebration of the Millenenium, floodlighting was installed - paid for by a 50% grant from the Millenium Floodlighting Trust and a donation from the Patron. The annual running costs are met by sponsorship which has proved very successful over the years. Grass cutting in the large churchyard is done by a contractor and the PCC receives a grant from Southill Parish Council for 25% of the cost.
Worship
The Electoral Roll currently stands at 42 and the average weekly attendance is 25 to 30. A Service is held each Sunday starting at 9.15am and currently the 1st Sunday in the month is a Family Service and the 4th Sunday of the month is an Order One (Traditional) service of holy communion. On the remaining Sundays an Order Two service of holy communion is provided. On the 1st Sunday of the month an Order One (Traditional) service of Holy Communion is celebrated at 8am, and on the 3rd Sunday of the month a Sunday School is held. We follow a central tradition with vestments.
We currently have no Lay participation in leading Worship, but we do have 3 members of the congregation qualified to assist the celebrant. During the year it is normal for baptismal services, weddings and funerals to take place and there are special services for Christingle, Harvest, Mothering Sunday and Remembrance Sunday. This last Service takes place at the village memorial. Two lay members of our Church have been responsible for marriage preparation for many years and lay participation is encouraged: nevertheless, there is a need for the churches ministry within the Parish to be extended particularly among young adults and children.
The Electoral Roll currently stands at 42 and the average weekly attendance is 25 to 30. A Service is held each Sunday starting at 9.15am and currently the 1st Sunday in the month is a Family Service and the 4th Sunday of the month is an Order One (Traditional) service of holy communion. On the remaining Sundays an Order Two service of holy communion is provided. On the 1st Sunday of the month an Order One (Traditional) service of Holy Communion is celebrated at 8am, and on the 3rd Sunday of the month a Sunday School is held. We follow a central tradition with vestments.
We currently have no Lay participation in leading Worship, but we do have 3 members of the congregation qualified to assist the celebrant. During the year it is normal for baptismal services, weddings and funerals to take place and there are special services for Christingle, Harvest, Mothering Sunday and Remembrance Sunday. This last Service takes place at the village memorial. Two lay members of our Church have been responsible for marriage preparation for many years and lay participation is encouraged: nevertheless, there is a need for the churches ministry within the Parish to be extended particularly among young adults and children.
Being part of a joint Benefice with Clifton has worked very well and given members of both congregations the opportunity to worship together at various times and to attend joint social occasions.
The PCC comprises 15 members with an age range of 35 to 75. Meetings are held routinely bi-monthly , alternately in the homes of the 2 churchwardens. Special meetings can be called as required and sub groups are formed as necessary.
There are no Lay Readers currently in the Parish and the Curate, the Rev Caren Topley, holds a non-stipendiary post at Clifton.
The PCC comprises 15 members with an age range of 35 to 75. Meetings are held routinely bi-monthly , alternately in the homes of the 2 churchwardens. Special meetings can be called as required and sub groups are formed as necessary.
There are no Lay Readers currently in the Parish and the Curate, the Rev Caren Topley, holds a non-stipendiary post at Clifton.
Financial Aspects
The Balance Sheet at the 31st December 2004 showed current assets of £34,630, of which £14,038 was unrestricted, £8,588 was designated and £12,004 was restricted. The year showed a surplus of £7,297, but this was due almost exclusively to one major donation and generally the income and expenditure balance out. Christian Stewardship is practised and raised £10,470, including a tax rebate of £2,122, during 2004.
Being a joint Benefice, the Parish Share and expenses of office are split between Southill and Clifton. At the beginning the split was agreed as one third to Southill and two thirds to Clifton and has remained so since then. For 2004 the Parish Share for Southill was £10,142: the figure for the current year has risen to £10,798, but there will be a 20% reduction in the Stipend Contribution for a period of 9 months from the time of the present incumbent?s retirement.
It has not been the practise in recent years to give away a particular percentage of income to Mission and Charities although in most years some funding has been devoted to these purposes. There is no secretarial or office provision within the Parish, but in accordance with the agreement mentioned earlier one third of the Vicar?s expenses are paid.
The Balance Sheet at the 31st December 2004 showed current assets of £34,630, of which £14,038 was unrestricted, £8,588 was designated and £12,004 was restricted. The year showed a surplus of £7,297, but this was due almost exclusively to one major donation and generally the income and expenditure balance out. Christian Stewardship is practised and raised £10,470, including a tax rebate of £2,122, during 2004.
Being a joint Benefice, the Parish Share and expenses of office are split between Southill and Clifton. At the beginning the split was agreed as one third to Southill and two thirds to Clifton and has remained so since then. For 2004 the Parish Share for Southill was £10,142: the figure for the current year has risen to £10,798, but there will be a 20% reduction in the Stipend Contribution for a period of 9 months from the time of the present incumbent?s retirement.
It has not been the practise in recent years to give away a particular percentage of income to Mission and Charities although in most years some funding has been devoted to these purposes. There is no secretarial or office provision within the Parish, but in accordance with the agreement mentioned earlier one third of the Vicar?s expenses are paid.
CommunicationsA Parish and Community Newsletter, entitled 'OUTLOOK', is produced monthly. Advertising income is raised and is used to partially offset the production costs - the balance is split equally between the PCC and Southill Parish Council. The incumbent traditionally writes a 'letter' for inclusion on the front page of each edition and other Church information on duties and services is included. The Editor gives his services for free. There is also a pew sheet provided by the Vicar for each Sunday Service.
Strengths and Weaknesses.
We believe that a newcomer would find the following characteristics encouraging:
- Loyal hard working and committed members of the congregation
- Beautiful location
- Beautiful building
- Bells in good working order
- Safe and friendly community
- An organist for Sunday worship
We, however, find the following factors to be challenging:
- Scattered and ageing congregation
- Poor facilities within the church building
- Building in need of a lot of alteration to provide the necessary facilities
- No community activities attached to the church ie.youth groups, bible study etc
We believe that a newcomer would find the following characteristics encouraging:
- Loyal hard working and committed members of the congregation
- Beautiful location
- Beautiful building
- Bells in good working order
- Safe and friendly community
- An organist for Sunday worship
We, however, find the following factors to be challenging:
- Scattered and ageing congregation
- Poor facilities within the church building
- Building in need of a lot of alteration to provide the necessary facilities
- No community activities attached to the church ie.youth groups, bible study etc