Join us for some of the many activities across the benefice.
Bell Ringing
Bell ringing is like no other hobby, a combination of physical exercise, mental agility surrounded by history.
Each of our churches have a bell ringing team, and practice is held in each of the towers most weeks. There are 6 bells in St Andrews and St Mary’s and 8 in All Saints.
If you would like to know more please contact one of the Tower Captain.
St Mary’s, Hemyock - Lin Holway: 01823 681522
St Andrew’s, Clayhidon: Michael Reynolds: 01889 680481
All Saints, Culmstock - Matthew Harris: 01884 840356
Mothers’ Union
The Mothers’ Union meet monthly in Hemyock or Culmstock. The programme is varied, with Holy Communion, lunches, quiet days, craft meetings, bible study and sometimes a speaker. We also organise trips to Exeter HQ and to the Cathedral for special services.
The program is on the notice boards in St Mary’s Hemyock and All Saints Culmstock.
We each have different skills, some knit for babies in the Neonatal unit at Musgrove and for the homeless in Exeter. Mother Union provides books which are also given to prisons.
We have a holiday caravan for those in desperate need of a rest. We send Baptism cards and anniversary Baptism cards.
There are many other projects the Mothers’ Union are involved with but it would be too many to list!
Annual subscription is paid, with the majority of the money going to the charity and only a small amount on administration. The requirement is that you are a Christian and believe in the Holy Trinity.
We also have a shop, and a magazine which is published bi-monthly.
We always welcome new members.
Peggy Whitcombe
St Mary's Charity & Coffee Shop
St Mary’s Charity and Coffee Shop started running in 2012. It aimed to give the village a “recycling” facility, a social centre and a financial stream not only for the church but also other local charitable groups. At the end of each year at least 25% of the year’s income is given to groups either in the village, like the Scouts, or which help the village, such as the Air Ambulance.
The Shop normally runs three times a month, from 10am till 12noon on the 1st Saturday and 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. The venue is the Church Rooms in Castle Hill. They accept a wide range of items, but not furniture or items needing mains electricity.
The “Coffee Shop” is run by the Friends of St Mary’s and provides cakes and biscuits to go with the coffee, tea and squash, and sometimes other goodies too.
It’s well worth a visit!
Brian Samuels