Benefice of the Denby Group - derby.anglican.org

Benefice of the

Denby Group

in the Diocese

of Derby

in the Deanery

of South East

Derbyshire

PROFILE

October 2021

Five churches together proclaiming afresh in this of 24 generation the good news of the Kingdom Version 6


The Benefice of the Denby Group

Benefice Profile

Serving the parishes of:

Codnor (with Waingroves), Denby,

Horsley (with Coxbench and Kilburn),

Horsley Woodhouse and Loscoe in the

South East Derbyshire Deanery

Priest in Charge

(Full-time Stipendiary)

October 2021


Welcome to the Benefice of the Denby Group ........................................................... 6

Five churches together – a prayer .......................................................................... 6

The Effect of the Pandemic .................................................................................... 6

Introduction to the Benefice .................................................................................... 7

Our Vision ............................................................................................................... 7

The Role ................................................................................................................. 8

Required Skills ........................................................................................................ 8

What we can offer ................................................................................................... 9

The Ministry Team.................................................................................................... 10

Geography ............................................................................................................... 12

Further Information ................................................................................................... 13

Common Policies .................................................................................................. 13

Worship Pattern & Style ........................................................................................ 13

Parish Statistics .................................................................................................... 14

The Vicarage ............................................................................................................ 15

Profiles of the Five Parishes ..................................................................................... 16

St James’, Codnor ................................................................................................ 16

St Mary the Virgin, Denby ..................................................................................... 17

St Clement’s, Horsley ........................................................................................... 19

St Susanna’s, Horsley Woodhouse ...................................................................... 20

St Luke’s, Loscoe ................................................................................................. 22

Deanery Statement by Rev Karen Padley ................................................................ 23

Footnote – a message from the churchwardens ...................................................... 24

For further information and informal enquires please contact:

Mrs Janet Jones Churchwarden, Horsley and Group Administrator

Tel: 01332 882929 Email: [email protected]

Mr David Curtis Churchwarden, Denby

Tel: 01332 881025 Email: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Record of Changes

Version Issue Date Changes

1 February 2020 Original

2 August 2020 Changes introduced to recognise the ongoing development of the Bishop’s Diocesan Strategy and the potential impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the Derby Diocese.

3 June 2021

General update to the text to reflect: a) The effects of the pandemic b) Changes agreed at a meeting with the Acting

Archdeacon c) Removal of the Codnor vicarage as a potential housing

option.

4 July 2021 Minor revisions following PCC meetings to agree the Benefice Profile.

5 September 2021 Addition of the Deanery statement.

6 October 2021 Minor revisions requested by the Diocese.


Welcome to the Benefice of the Denby Group

Welcome to this Profile. We hope that you will enjoy reading it and discovering

about our benefice. The Parish churches of St Clement’s, St James’, St Luke’s,

St Mary’s and St Susanna’s which form the Benefice of the Denby Group, are

situated in the beautiful countryside of Derbyshire. Each parish has easy access to

towns and cities, yet each retains a unique identity.

Our Benefice may be newly formalised, but the links between the churches have

been long established and forged in a strong desire for unity and growth.

We thank God for the fellowship, friendship and support between our churches which

has brought us to where we are today. We pray that, with God’s blessing, we will

find the person to spiritually lead us in taking our churches forward in the

communities which they serve and further afield.

Five churches together – a prayer

Heavenly Father, in this time of change in our new Benefice of the Denby Group, we pray that you will be alongside us, guiding us as we move forward. We also pray that your love and blessings will flow through us into the communities we serve. Enable us to work together, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring the Good News of Jesus to all. Amen.

The Effect of the Pandemic

During the autumn of 2020, we made plans to re-start services in a Covid safe way

and in line with the Government, Church of England and Diocesan guidelines. A

small number of services did take place in October (when the Annual Parochial

Meetings were also held) but further lockdowns stopped all services during

November. Two services were held at each church during December 2020.

We have been very conscious that a significant percentage of our congregations (as

well as our non-stipendiary clergy, Lay Readers and volunteers) are in the

“vulnerable” group and in the light of this fact, the decision was made not to hold

services during the first three months of 2021. Services re-started on Easter Day

and have continued with two services per month at each church. We realise that it

may be many months before a more “normal” pattern of services is restored due to

lasting impacts of the pandemic and also the limited availability of worship leaders,

both ordained and lay. However, we accept that future changes to the patterns of

worship are both inevitable and necessary to attract new worshippers.

The need to comply with social distancing requirements, initially 2m but more

recently reduced to 1m or less, has limited the attendance in all five church buildings

and booking systems were used until Step 4 of the Government’s Roadmap on 19th

July 2021.


PCC meetings continued to be held either by correspondence (mail, email and

telephone) or by video conferencing, or a combination of both so that all PCC

members are included in the discussions and decision making. Recently, face-to

face meetings have been re-started.

One of our Retired Priests and his wife, a Lay Reader, ran an online daily prayer

during the first few months of the pandemic.

Introduction to the Benefice

Ten miles north of Derby, the newly created Benefice of the Denby Group consists of

five churches, each individual in their own way, serving the communities of the five

parishes.

The formation of ‘The Denby Group’ started to develop in 2005 through the Diocesan

Mission and Ministry initiative. In 2011 under a new reordering, an informal grouping

of five parishes was then formed, termed: The Denby Group of Churches, consisting

of: Codnor (with Waingroves), Denby, Horsley (with Coxbench and Kilburn), Horsley

Woodhouse and Loscoe. From 2017, the creation of a “united” Benefice was

progressed enthusiastically and the Pastoral Scheme was formally implemented on

1st June 2019. This was celebrated at a Group service on 30th June 2019.

A Benefice Steering Group has met quarterly with the clergy to co-ordinate and plan

the common aspects of our mission and church initiatives. This Group has evolved

from the previous group of ten churchwardens, but currently not all churchwarden

posts are filled. In these instances, other PCC representatives have been nominated

to ensure that each PCC has two representatives. This Group has been very

effective in bringing together the five parishes.

Although the churches retain their own identity through their PCC’s and finance, the

Benefice works together by sharing worship leaders, administration, organisation of

Occasional Offices, Group Expenses (including travel for clergy), mutual prayer and

support. We have a strong working relationship with four Church of England Primary

Schools within the Group (one of which is Voluntary Aided) and a viable relationship

with three state run Primary Schools, a state run Junior School and a state run

Secondary School in the area. All our villages are set within the Amber Valley

Borough of Derbyshire and have easy access to the towns of Ripley, Belper, Heanor

and Ilkeston, as well as the cities of Derby and Nottingham.

Our Vision

We have a vision that the churches of our Benefice will enjoy a higher profile in the

communities they serve and will see congregations grow and develop as all age

groups are brought into the fellowship of each church. As a Benefice we will be

directed, strengthened and supported through prayerful and effective leadership in a

mission to relate faith to all people, make new disciples and spread the Kingdom of

God.


The Role

We are looking for a new Priest in Charge to lead us in growing our new united

Benefice. Can you help us to grow in faith and work to build the Kingdom of God in

our Benefice?

In this full time stipendiary role you will need effective leadership and pastoral skills,

including the ability to motivate, work collaboratively with others and work through a

variety of volunteers, lay ministry and clergy.

The role requires experience in Group / Team ministry and good communication

skills with a heart for mission, outreach and schools work. The ability to empower

those around them is considered to be important together with an aptitude for

identifying and developing their talents.

A natural optimism and an understanding of the needs of all ages will be valuable in

this role as the new Benefice faces the next few years.

In summary we are looking for someone who is:

• enthusiastic to be part of a newly created Benefice with the vision to build on our strengths placing the church at the centre of our communities.

• keen to develop mission and outreach initiatives across all ages in our communities, schools and families.

with the opportunity to develop your own gifts and talents and enjoy the Derbyshire countryside.

Required Skills

In order to benefit from this exciting new role, it is essential that you have the

following skills and competences:

• A proven ability to provide positive leadership across multiple parishes with a willingness to work collaboratively

• A desire to understand our situation and encourage us in our collective spiritual journey

• An enthusiasm and willingness to encourage, lead and participate in outreach activities to grow the churches in the Benefice recognising the opportunities from the increasing population and planned housing developments.

• An inspiring preacher who is comfortable with both traditional liturgy and contemporary worship

• A recognised strength to communicate the gospels to all people, wherever they are in their individual journeys with God and at all stages of their lives

• A proven competence to work effectively with primary schools

• The ability to prioritise alongside excellent organisational skills.


What we can offer

• A group of churches ready to begin a new chapter as a united Benefice

• Parishioners in each of the five churches eager to welcome and support a new incumbent who will guide them forward

• A supportive clergy team who have and will continue to work collaboratively and meet weekly for Morning Prayer and to share ideas.

• Local schools who use our buildings and welcome input thus providing a link with young families.

• Supportive PCC’s and Churchwardens / Church reps who take care of the day to day running of the buildings and fundraising

• Parishioners open to a variety of worship styles and willing to embrace new ideas

• Expenses met from a Group Account run by a Group treasurer while still allowing individual PCC’s to operate independently.

• A vicarage in rural Derbyshire providing easy access to the Peak District and the cities of Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.

• A new Diocesan Bishop (Bishop Libby Lane) with a refreshed Vision and Mission for the Diocese.

If you are willing to accept this exciting and stimulating role, we can offer you a loving

and warm welcome to our church family; positive and encouraging support to your

ministry; the opportunity to develop and widen your own talents and gifts; a well-

maintained and delightful property to live in near Derby with a wealth of amenities

and the prayerful and active support from our worship team, wardens and

administrator.


The Ministry Team

The ministry team consists of two clergy members, two Readers, and a variety of

other people who help with a wide range of ministry such as communion assistants,

readers of lessons and leaders of intercessions. All our clergy and Readers are

licensed to the Benefice as a whole, with other roles being more focused on

individual churches.

The previous incumbent met with the clergy each Monday morning, following

Morning Prayer for a weekly staff meeting. The Vicar also met with the Benefice

Administrator each Monday following the staff meeting. Also, it has proved valuable

to hold quarterly meetings with the wardens and other parish representatives in order

to maintain and develop a single Benefice team. (Note that these meetings have

continued monthly during the interregnum.) A number of meetings of the treasurers

from each church and the Group Treasurer were also held but not on such a regular

basis.

Priest in Charge

To be appointed.

Associate Priest (OLM)

The Revd. Christopher Holden was appointed a part time

non-stipendiary Associate Priest in 2016 following his four-

year curacy with the Denby Group. He lives in his own

property in Waingroves with his wife, Jane, daughter Sarah,

son-in-law Soltan and three grandchildren. Christopher,

Jane and Sarah have lived in the area for over 30-years

having moved from Manchester where Christopher worked

for the clerical company Wippels. They have been long

standing members of St James’ Church in Codnor and have

served the church through a variety of roles.

Assistant Clergy (PTO)

The Revd. Dr Martin Jones is an ordained local minister

who has served in the Denby Group of Churches initially as

curate and later as associate priest since ordination in 2013.

He has recently been granted Permission To Officiate

following his retirement from this position. Before the call to

ordination, Martin served for twenty years as a Reader in St

Clement’s Church, the Denby Group (as it was forming) and

in the wider area.

He and his wife Jan live in their own property in Horsley; Jan

is also Administrator for the Benefice (unpaid). They have

two grown-up children and four grandchildren. Martin is a


retired GP and Jan is a retired teacher. They enjoy the outdoors, music and choral

singing, and time with the family.

Readers

Mrs Ann Swales has been a Reader for many years and has served in the Denby

Group of Churches since 2011. Ann has served in a number of parishes and enjoys

working across the group. Ann is married to Peter and they have two grown up

daughters and four grandchildren.

Mr Terry Welch was a Reader in the Denby Group from 2005 until his retirement in

February 2019. Previously he had been a Reader in Rochester, Kent for some

years. Following the announcement of an interregnum in early 2020, he revived his

PTO and is supporting the Benefice during the interregnum.

He is married to Enid and between them have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. He is

a retired engineer and university lecturer and has a passion for taking Christ into the

community.


Geography

The five parishes occupy an area of approximately 39 km2 (15 square miles)

between the towns of Belper to the west, Ripley to the north and Heanor to the east.

Derby city is 5 miles to the south.

Codnor

Denby

Loscoe

Horsley

Horsley

Woodhouse

Ripley

Heanor

Belper


Further Information

Common Policies

The Group has an open Baptism and Marriage policy. Also, each PCC has agreed

that divorced people may re-marry in church at the discretion of the Vicar/Priest in

Charge. The five parishes have affirmed their support of the priestly ministry of

women. Although there are a range of church traditions within our group and within

each parish, we aim to provide the best of Anglican worship and pastoral care to all

who seek it. We are committed to our ecumenical partners with whom we share

various services throughout the year.

Worship Pattern & Style

In the years immediately before the Covid 19 pandemic, the normal monthly pattern

of services was essentially: two Holy Communion services, one Morning / Evening

Prayer service and one Family Service / Praise & Worship at each church. Group

services were held on the 5th Sundays and at the mid-week festivals such as Ash

Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Ascension.

Since Easter 2021 and as the Government’s restrictions have been gradually eased,

two services are being held at each church each month: one Holy Communion, the

other Morning Prayer.

As noted on page 7, it may be many months before a more “normal” pattern of

services is restored due to lasting impacts of the pandemic and also the limited

availability of worship leaders (both ordained and lay).

Baptism services re-started in September 2021.

All principal services follow Common Worship and we use the Mission Praise hymn

books.


Parish Statistics

Since the census in 2011, the population has increased significantly in some areas

of the Benefice but accurate data is not yet available from the 2021 census. In

addition, current Borough Council housing plans include further significant

development, such as the plans for 1100 houses in the north Denby area. The

following table includes estimates of the current population.

Population

(Approximately)

Electoral Roll

2019

Usual Sunday Adult

Attendance in 2019

Benefice Totals 18,500 183 118

This is comprised of:

Parish Population

(Approximately)

Electoral Roll

2019

Usual Sunday Adult

Attendance in 2019

Codnor 6,700 39 25

Denby 2,978 38 29

Horsley 5,280 64 38

Horsley Woodhouse 1,411 21 11

Loscoe 1,800 21 15

Occasional Services

The statistics for 2019, the last full year, are presented below:

Parish Baptisms Weddings Funerals

St James’, Codnor 3 0 4

St Mary the Virgin Denby

4 (1) 6 4

St Clement’s, Horsley 15 4 12

St Susanna’s Horsley Woodhouse

0 2 4

St Luke’s, Loscoe 4 1 2

Totals 26 13 26

Note 1: Plus one service of Thanksgiving for a child.

In 2021 across the Benefice, the current schedule shows 14 weddings. Twenty one funerals have taken place so far (to June 2021) and the “backlog” of requested baptisms was 16 at the same date.


Common Fund

The following table includes both 2019 and 2020 for completeness, but 2020 of

course was a unique year with over 9 months of severe pandemic restrictions. Less

than five services took place in most churches between 23rd March and

31st December with very few occasional services being held.

Common Fund

Paid in 2019

Common Fund

Paid in 2020

St James’, Codnor £14,245 (100%) £9,600 (69%)

St Mary the Virgin, Denby £15,500 (78%) £15,000 (74%)

St Clement’s, Horsley £28,014 (100%) £16,000 (57%)

St Susanna’s, Horsley Woodhouse £8,000 (85%) £3,000 (34%)

St Luke’s, Loscoe £8,914 (100%) £6,647 (75%)

Totals £74,675 (93%) £50,247 (62%)

The Vicarage

The vicarage in Horsley was built in the 1964 and has four bedrooms with an

upstairs bathroom along with a fitted kitchen, dining room, sitting room, study,

downstairs cloakroom and garage. There is a large garden to the rear with extensive

views over the valley.

Address: The Vicarage, Church Street,

Horsley, Derby DE21 5BR

The vicarage has a total floor area of

approximately 170 m2 (1829 ft2), comprising:

• Ground floor: lounge, dining room, study, kitchen, utility/store, cloakroom, hall and porch.

• First floor: four bedrooms (2 double, 2 single), bathroom with WC.


Profiles of the Five Parishes

These profiles of the individual parishes were largely written in early 2020 before the

effects of the pandemic were known. They reflect the activities that were taking

place up to that time and which, hopefully, will re-start in due course. Where

decisions have been made not to re-start activities, this is noted in the text.

St James’, Codnor

The church is a small, simple, Grade II

listed building built in 1844 with an enclosed

but "closed" churchyard. The church was

consecrated on 10th October 1844. There

is no Church Hall but the church is used

imaginatively and respectfully for many

social events. The building is of Gothic

style with a nave, chancel, west tower and

bell. A gallery was installed in 1890. An old

concrete font was replaced a few years ago

with a movable font made of oak which is placed at the front of church. This freed the

baptistery area for use as a quiet, reflective area in church. There is a small, attached

vestry block which contains a tea-point and a toilet. Work has been completed recently

to modify the tea-point and also install a toilet suitable for the disabled. The bell is

currently out of action, but an appeal has been launched for its restoration in the near

future.

Our congregation represents a mix of church

traditions and our varied styles of worship try

to cater for all. Vestments are usually worn at

Holy Communion services and robes by

Clergy and Readers at other services. The

service follows Common Worship. We do not

at present have the services of a resident

organist. However, we are grateful for the

services of an organist at some Holy

Communion Services. Music at the Family

Service and some Holy Communion services

is provided by good quality CD’s and our

Music Group provide and lead the music at

our service of Praise & Worship.


Activities include:

• Open Door on the 2nd Saturday morning of each month when all are welcome for coffee and fellowship. This is useful for meeting wedding couples, discussing Church matters or even polishing the brass!

• Mothers' Union.

• The Sanctuary Guild organises the flower rota and provides flowers.

• A bi-annual Flower Festival

• A bi-annual Craft Show

• A Christmas Tree Festival.

The Parish of Codnor has a population of approximately 6,700 and incorporates the

villages of Codnor and Waingroves, the area immediately around the church being

known locally as Crosshill. The two villages have many similarities as they were both

former mining communities. Both villages are surrounded by predominantly grazing

land and are separated by a small common. They are thriving communities, each with

a Methodist Chapel in the centre, and two primary schools - one CofE and the other a

state school. We have a good relationship with both schools. There is a local

Industrial Estate within the parish and a small variety of shops, pubs and eating

establishments on and around Codnor High Street. Most people commute to work in

Ripley, Heanor and the larger neighbouring towns and cities. There is good public

transport and easy access to major roads, i.e. A38, A610, and M1.

St Mary the Virgin, Denby

The church is a Grade I listed building

and dates from the 12th century. In

2006, a small extension was added

which provides a tea-point and disabled

toilet facilities. A new stainless steel

roof (in place of lead) was installed in

2015 and the whole internal lighting

system was replaced in 2019 with

energy efficient LED fittings. The next

major project is to replace the heating

system. The tower contains six bells

which were rung regularly before the

pandemic. The churchyard remains open for new burials but very few plots remain.

The pipe organ (1914) is played by three regular organists and an electronic keyboard

was acquired in 2020.

The worship style is based around Common Worship which the majority of the

congregation prefer. Occasionally more modern, less formal services are held and in

particular efforts are being made with the All Age Worship service to provide a


child/parent friendly type of service and attract young families. Lay involvement during

the services is through bell-ringers, sidespeople, reading of lessons, preparing and

reading of intercessions and assisting with communion. An annual Patronal and

Flower Festival is usually held in September to celebrate the festival of St Mary.

One of the strengths of the church is that

everyone in the congregation feels part of

the “church family.” A particularly good

relationship between the adjacent Denby

Free Church of England (Voluntary Aided)

Primary School and the Church has been

developed over several years. The children

come into the Church every Tuesday for

assembly and the church is used

extensively by the school in the Easter and

Christmas periods. The church gives bibles

to year 6 pupils each year. A 400 year old

charitable Foundation exists to provide financial support to the primary school. A

Coffee Club is held every Monday during term time for parents and carers, opening

from 8.30 am until 10.00 am.

The church is open once a month on a Saturday morning offering complementary

drinks and an opportunity to view the church records and enjoy fellowship. A thriving

Discovery Club for children is run by ValleyCids, a local Christian charity supporting

children and families. Three ladies within St Mary’s congregation have run a monthly

Ladies Night for the group of five churches

for the last 12 years but there are currently

no plans to re-start this after the pandemic.

A “Chatterbox Café” opens one morning

every two weeks in Kilburn Village Hall.

This has been suspended during the

pandemic but is planned to re-open in late

July 2021. The Café operates on the

principle of Christians working in our

community, alongside non church, being

“salt and light.”

In response to the call from the Archbishops for November 2020 to be a month of

prayer, a weekly Zoom Prayer meeting was started. This is still running although

recently reduced to fortnightly. An email or paper copy of the prayers is delivered to

28 people which is helping to maintain contact with parishioners.

Denby parish covers approximately 6 square miles. The parish is predominantly

rural with the population widely spread between the area around the church to the

east (Denby Village) and an area in the west of the parish nearer the A38 and

B6179. This area to the west contains more housing than the Denby Village area.

Denby Pottery and DEB are the main employers but a new industrial estate, in the


north of the Parish towards Ripley opened a few years ago. Denby Pottery has a

popular visitor centre which brings many people to the parish. There are several

farms and open countryside within the parish. There are two schools in the parish;

the John Flamsteed Community School, which caters for around 600 secondary

school pupils from Denby and adjacent parishes; and, as noted above, Denby Free

Church of England (Voluntary Aided) Primary School which is situated next to the

Church and currently has approximately 127 pupils.

St Clement’s, Horsley

St. Clement’s is a grade I listed building

erected sometime before 1300 and

altered extensively between 1310 and

1350. It seats about 140 people. In the

last 12 years redevelopment has seen the

re-leading of the roof, a new heating

system installed with the removal of the

pews and replacement with chairs. In

2016 a toilet along with kitchen facilities

and access for the disabled were installed.

In 2019 a new audio-visual system was

purchased. The tower contains six bells which are rung regularly before services and

for weddings. St Clement’s has an open churchyard.

Although the congregation is generally over 50

with a few younger families, it is by no means

an ‘elderly’ church. Up to the start of the

pandemic, the church was open on the first

Saturday of each month where a thriving group

of people came along for a chat, to frequent the

cake stall and to look at memorabilia.

The church has a tithing ethic.

At present the services at St. Clement’s are taking place on the 2nd and 4th Sundays

each month, one of Holy Communion and one of Morning Prayer. Traditionally, the

services have been predominantly Common Worship with BCP being used for a

monthly early morning Communion along with a more informal service for the monthly

Family Service. Clergy and Readers usually robe. We have a regular organist who

also leads the choir (about 25 people strong). The choir sings regularly at services

and for weddings and an annual concert. Recently a ‘Music and Silence Evening’ led

by the choir has been introduced and is attended by people from the wider area. There

are a few young families who attend regularly and a Sunday School is run on two

Sundays per month. The average Sunday attendance is around 38.

Horsley Primary school is a Church of England school (which is now in a federation

with Mapperly Primary Church of England school). As a Controlled school it has

church representation on the governing body. The school uses the church for weekly


assemblies, Christmas and end of term performances. Recently the church became

a temporary classroom following a flood at school. The church gives bibles to year 6

pupils each year and organises the school’s Christingle service.

We have created a more flexible and

usable building for the whole community to

enjoy. Events such as the annual Ilkeston

Brass Band Concert and afternoon teas,

are organised by the Social Committee

and are well supported along with other

organised events. The church is available

for non-church organisations to hire. We

are working towards achieving a greater

impact in the community, particularly in

Kilburn and especially with children and young people. In 2019 for the first time we

introduced an “Experience Easter” with years 5 and 6 pupils from Horsley and Kilburn

schools. We have a good relationship with the Parish Council in both Kilburn and

Horsley. We continue to support the Happy Home Orphanage (Kenya), Derbyshire

Children’s Holiday Centre (Skegness) and the Padley Centre in Derby.

St Clement’s owns and has use of Kilburn Village Hall which is run by the Community

Association.

The church is located in the Village of Horsley, approximately 5.5 miles north of Derby

in a predominantly rural area. The church serves the villages of Coxbench, Horsley

and Kilburn. Kilburn has by far the largest population and has a range of shops –

general store, post office, hairdressers and two pubs, along with nursery, infant and

junior schools. Horsley has a pub, a new village hall and a Church of England

(controlled) primary school which has good links with the church. There is also a local

golf club. Coxbench is a small village just south of Horsley with a few houses and a

pub. Both Kilburn and Coxbench have aged persons’ residential homes.

St Susanna’s, Horsley Woodhouse

The Church, dedicated to St Susanna,

was built in 1882 and is of a relatively

small size, just 89 feet in length and 29

in width. It is of a plain gothic structure

comprising nave, chancel, north porch

and a bell turret containing a single bell.

There is seating for 200. The Church

Hall, standing on the junction between

Main Street and Wood Lane is a great

asset to the parish. Built originally as the

second school, it was purchased by the

PCC in 1939. Significant refurbishment work, supported by a grant from the National

Charities Board, was completed 20 years ago. This has provided the parish with an


excellent facility which is currently being used as a vaccination centre.

Churchmanship may best be described as traditional with BCP Evensong and

Common Worship Holy Communion services being used. The congregation is

predominately middle-aged to elderly.

The village has a full range of clubs, societies and other

organisations with programmes and activities meeting

the needs of different age groups and interests. These

include the Pre-school Playgroup and Toddler Group

and the 1st Sitwell Scout Group and Dance Studio 7 for

young people. Sporting interests are met by the

Stainsby Cricket Club, the Smalley Tennis Club and the

Sitwell Arms Bowls Club. The Royal British Legion

Memorial Hall plays host to the Over-60s Club, the

Ladies Group, the Local and Family History Group and weekly whist drives.

St Susanna’s Church Hall is another well-used venue catering for both regular and

one-off events. The Annual Carnival, run by the village Community Association, is a

very popular and long-lived event.

The population of the parish of Horsley

Woodhouse is around 1400,

overwhelmingly of White British descent.

Horsley Woodhouse is a former mining

community situated in a rural location to

the north-east of Derby in the Amber

Valley district. There are around 600

dwellings, predominantly privately-

owned but also with some rented

accommodation and sheltered and older

persons’ housing. It is a linear village

lying on the A609, a trunk road providing

links to the cities of Derby and

Nottingham and the towns of Ilkeston and Heanor in one direction and the towns of

Belper, Matlock and Ashbourne in the other.

The city of Derby and the neighbouring towns of Heanor, Ripley, Belper and Ilkeston

are the greatest providers of employment but more local employers include the nearby

Denby Pottery along with a number of smaller companies and businesses and the

Primary School and Medical Centre in the village itself. Primary education is provided

at the Horsley Woodhouse Primary School with pupils moving on to either Heanor

Gate Science College or John Flamsteed Community School, Denby. The village

hosts the Arthur Medical Centre and there are community hospitals at Ilkeston, Belper

and Ripley. There is a local Co-op Store on Main Street at one end of the village and

a General Convenience Store on Main Street in the middle of the village. The village

also boasts a noted real ale village pub, hairstylists, a fish and chip shop and a newly

opened coffee shop.


St Luke’s, Loscoe

The parish church of St. Luke’s was

built in 1938 and remodelled in 1992 to

include the upper and lower church

halls, kitchen facilities and toilets, and

meets the requirements of the 2005

Disability Act. There is no church yard

attached to St. Luke’s, however there

is a consecrated area for the interment

of cremated remains. The church is

fitted with wooden pews and seats

approximately 140 people with standing room in the rear lower hall if required. Our

Churchmanship is low to middle of the road; open Evangelical, grounded in the

Eucharist, with flexible dress code.

The principal services are according to the Common Worship style. Lay participation

in the presentation of worship is widely enjoyed and encouraged.

We have a dedicated team who meet weekly

to maintain the Church gardens and a group

who meet monthly for cleaning & maintenance

of the Church. We have two organists at St.

Luke’s who play for morning services and

special events, with CDs available as required

at other times. Mission Praise is the usual

hymn book used, with others available if

desired. A small choir is present at special

services throughout the year. St. Luke’s

supports the Padley Centre in Derby, Sozein

Trust, Children’s Society and Christian Aid.

Strong links are maintained with Loscoe Primary School which is Church of England

(voluntary controlled) and has approximately 160 pupils and some of St. Luke’s

members are Foundation Governors at the school. We also have good links with

Howitt Primary School, Heanor, both of which we welcome into church on many

occasions for special services & concerts.

Heanor & Loscoe Town Council also support St. Luke’s Church holding events within

the Church and Amber Valley Borough Council are working with St. Luke’s to promote

Community events.

St. Luke’s itself also holds concerts & other events throughout the year to raise funds

for the church. There is also a local Community Centre (Evergreen centre) where

various other groups meet within the community. A local Conservation Group (The

Red River project) meets every month to support & maintain a Nature Trail which is

sited next to the Church.


There is an upper room within the church used

by the local Scouts, Cubs, Beavers and

Brownies groups who meet during term time

and it also welcomes members of the

community for functions, parties and other

events.

The parish Church of St. Luke’s, Loscoe is

approximately 1 mile from the town of Heanor.

Originally a mining community, it is now largely

residential and owner occupied housing. Planning applications have also been sought

for a further number of houses to be built within Loscoe. Although there is a small

industrial estate for light industry, most people commute to neighbouring towns or to

the cities of Derby or Nottingham which are easily accessible. There are local bus

services and national train links within 2 miles. Nottingham East Midlands Airport is

approximately 30 minutes’ drive away. The village has a community playing field, two

public houses, two post offices with attached general stores, two chip shops, a

Chinese takeaway, a petrol station, a fitness centre and a tyre repair centre.

Deanery Statement by Rev Karen Padley

The south-east Deanery is situated along the M1 corridor. All

synod meetings have focused on how we can help one another to

engage in discipleship and mission with additional events held to

develop ideas, promote good practice and share what is working

well. We have a regular deanery newsletter sharing news and

encouragement. We benefit from a part time administrator who has

proved useful in both deanery work and supporting local parishes with administrative

tasks. The richness of diverse churchmanship in the deanery produces mutual

learning, respect and good relationships across church traditions, celebrating what we

share rather than focusing on differences. Chapter

meets regularly and is a supportive environment of

learning and encouragement. There is desire in the

deanery for growth and real examples of stepping

out beyond the traditional church model which we

are all learning from. It is hoped that the new

minister will play a full part in deanery life.


Footnote – a message from the churchwardens

We are a newly formed Benefice of five Churches, (two urban and three rural). If

you choose to come to be our new Priest in Charge you will be most welcome and

will help us to transform lives through a growing church and building community in

our new Benefice. Each church has its own character, as with the people within it,

coming from many diverse backgrounds bringing their many skills and experiences;

you too can love sharing in the life of each parish, making friends within and outside

the Churches and also within the wider deanery and diocese. As all the

churchwarden posts are not filled, we have formed a Steering Group which meets on

a regular basis to bring a greater cohesion between the churches and to co-ordinate

our activities as we reach out to the wider community. We pray that God will send us

the right person to be our Priest in Charge for the next stage of the development of

our Benefice.

Benefice of the Denby Group - derby.anglican.org

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Transcript of Benefice of the Denby Group - derby.anglican.org