Coastal parishes could split from Diocese of Norwich

Yet the atmosphere in a string of seaside parishes is far from beatific.

Anger is instead mounting at the Diocese of Norwich over delays in replacing two priests, who left a benefice stretching from Hunstanton to Burnham Deepdale 18 months ago.

Some parishioners say they have been left without any pastoral support for the sick and bereaved, with the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) even proposing to shut a much-loved primary school.

However, the diocese continues to collect £30,000 a year from the villages in parish shares. 

Tensions have become so strained that the parishes and diocese may sever ties for good.

The Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich (Image: Luke Bryant/Diocese of Norwich) WHAT HAS HAPPENED? 

Rev Rachael Dines left the Hunstanton and Saxon Shore Benefice in May 2023. This was followed by the departure of team vicar Rev Kirsty Allan in June. 

The Diocese of Norwich says all eight parishes within the group have entered "a period of interregnum". 

Meanwhile the patrons who manage the benefice have had their right to choose candidates to replace them suspended, pending a review.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher, said this was to enable a period of consultation "to enable consideration of a suitable plan for mission and ministry, that may include consideration of possible pastoral reorganisation".

ANGER BY THE SHORE

Tom de Winton is one of the patrons of the benefice (Image: Chris Bishop)

The Hunstanton and Saxon Shore benefice covers the parishes of Brancaster, Burnham Deepdale, Holme-next-the-Sea, Hunstanton St Edmund, Hunstanton St Mary, Thornham, Titchwell and Ringstead.

Brancaster Parish Council chairman Tom de Winton, who is one of its patrons, said: "We are all getting very fed up with the diocese. 

"It has done nothing for us, having not supported the last two incumbents. They got dropped here at the start of Covid and basically told to sink or swim. It didn't work out for them and they left.

The church at Brancaster (Image: Chris Bishop) "They insist on taking the parish portions, which is several thousand a year from each church. There are eight in the benefice so they're taking the thick end of £30,000 and we get nothing in return.

"We are relying on retired clergy for services but the pastoral work of our benefice is not happening, like visiting the sick and helping the bereaved.

"To cap it all, the diocese has proposed to close our primary school. We were irritated with it before the school closure, now we're fuming."

Families on the march to save the village primary school at Brancaster (Image: Chris Bishop) Mr de Winton said parish representatives would be meeting in the New Year to discuss a way forward.

"Certain parishes are considering their position and whether they wish to be aligned with the diocese or not," he added.

READ MORE: Families on the march to save Brancaster Primary School 

The church at Ringstead, which is part of the Hunstanton and Saxon Shore benefice (Image: Chris Bishop) One churchwarden, who did not wish to be named, said: "Some feel quite sad the diocese hasn't given us a clergy person and they're taking away the school. You've got to ask, is their plan to kill off the coast?

"They ought to look at the benefice and have a proper round table conference to get the views of everybody. It could all be put in the melting pot."

HELP NEEDED 

A view across the downs towards the church at Holme (Image: Chris Bishop) The Diocese of Norwich is currently advertising for a priest in charge to join the benefice.

The job advert says: "The Hunstanton and Saxon Shore benefice is prayerfully seeking an experienced priest to lead the church forward into the future that God has for our eight parishes.

"There is an active ministry team of an assistant priest, two authorised worship assistants, six retired clergy and supportive churchwardens.

The church at Old Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop)

"The five-bedroomed, comfortable rectory is situated in Old Hunstanton."

It adds the successful candidate will need to "take time to discover what is important to the parishes now", work creatively for the future and be "a unifying factor to pull us together as a benefice and enable us to achieve our as yet unrealised potential".

WHAT DOES THE DIOCESE SAY?

Rt Rev Dr Jane Steen, Bishop of Lynn (Image: Sonya Duncan)

In a statement, the Diocese of Norwich said: "A post of priest in charge for the Saxon Shore Benefice is currently being advertised.

"The closing date is December 16, and the hope is that some good candidates will come forward.

"Once a person has been appointed to this role, the intention is to recruit a second priest to reflect the needs of the benefice.

"Recruitment of clergy to rural ministry is often challenging, and it can take time to find the right person to provide the best support, but the diocese is committed to ensuring continued pastoral provision for these parishes.  

"The Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, is due to meet church members in the next few weeks, which will provide an opportunity to discuss and address concerns raised."