SAINT OSWALD S CHURCH. In the Parish of Hinstock

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SAINT OSWALD S CHURCH ( The stone Church with the warm heart ) In the Parish of Hinstock Introduction A road ran through Hinstock as long ago as Roman times when the springs which currently fill the

The prefix Hin appears leading to Hinstok outlying farmstead belonging to a religious community. The Parish Church dedicated to Saint Oswald is built on a mound at the southern end of the village.

1 SAINT OSWALD S CHURCH ( The stone Church with the warm heart ) In the Parish of Hinstock Introduction A road ran through Hinstock as long ago as Roman times when the springs which currently fill the Bearcroft pool provided pure water for the legions on their way to Chester. Mention is made in 1087 of Stoche in the Domesday Book and in The prefix Hin appears leading to Hinstok outlying farmstead belonging to a religious community. The Parish Church dedicated to Saint Oswald is built on a mound at the southern end of the village. This was possibly the site of a Saxon heathen temple and was originally only a chapel. There are 62 Churches in England dedicated to Saint Oswald. This one, in Shropshire, was probably the resting place when his bones were taken from Oswestry, where he was killed, to Lincolnshire where they were buried. His feast is on the 9 th August. 1

Location Hinstock is accessible from the A41, and is centrally located within the Benefice, being about six miles from both Market

As the A41 now bypasses the village, it has allowed the Hinstock of today to become a pleasant and popular rural village for

Hinstock is within thirty minutes of the motorway network, giving easy access to Birmingham, the South and Manchester and Liverpool to

2 Location Hinstock is accessible from the A41, and is centrally located within the Benefice, being about six miles from both Market Drayton and Newport. As the A41 now bypasses the village, it has allowed the Hinstock of today to become a pleasant and popular rural village for commuters, who have taken advantage of recent housing developments. Hinstock is within thirty minutes of the motorway network, giving easy access to Birmingham, the South and Manchester and Liverpool to the North. Railway stations such as Telford, Shrewsbury and Stafford are also within a 30 minute drive. The current population is around 1,000; although the village is expanding with approximately 100 new houses planned to be built within the village. There are also outlying hamlets woven into an essentially farming community. 2

The Church Saint Oswald s Parish Church is in an elevated position at the southern end of the village.

quarry now Quarry Wood which is looked after by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Access from the eastern end is by steps and the western end up a sloping path, which helps the

3 The Church Saint Oswald s Parish Church is in an elevated position at the southern end of the village. It is a fine red sandstone building with a seventeenth century square tower sourced from a local quarry now Quarry Wood which is looked after by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The southern and eastern boundaries are enclosed with stone walls along Church Street. Access from the eastern end is by steps and the western end up a sloping path, which helps the disabled, through a splendid lychgate. The Church has a peal of 6 six bells which are rung regularly, a fine clock and a traditional pipe organ. 3

The interior of the Church is very light and airy with one

There are pews to seat around 150 people but the southern aisle

There is also a children s activity area.

4 The interior of the Church is very light and airy with one beautiful stained glass window at the eastern end. There are pews to seat around 150 people but the southern aisle pews were removed to provide a carpeted area. There is also a children s activity area. For after-service refreshments and meetings, a carpeted / kitchen area exists, which is also used for regular Café Church services. 4

Church Activities We hold a variety of services: Benefice service - (every 5 th Sunday - 6 Churches) Family service (every 1 st Sunday) Holy Communion Morning Worship Café Church (with and without

Experiencing Christmas Hinstock school In addition to our clergy and readers, our lay members sometimes lead / assist in leading worship.

5 Church Activities We hold a variety of services: Benefice service - (every 5 th Sunday - 6 Churches) Family service (every 1 st Sunday) Holy Communion Morning Worship Café Church (with and without communion) Seasonal worship: Easter services o Experiencing Easter Hinstock school Harvest festival Remembrance Sunday Christmas services: o Christmas communion o Christingle o Crib service o Experiencing Christmas Hinstock school In addition to our clergy and readers, our lay members sometimes lead / assist in leading worship. Bible study activities throughout the benefit explore the Christian teachings, reflecting on scripture and how it relates to today. Currently the Church supports the children from the Benefice in the following ways: Treasure seekers after school club with a Christian theme Youth club Hinstock memorial hall Messy Church Community fundraising activities for the Church include: Coffee and friendship mornings Harvest supper Big Breakfast Bingo 5

Unique forms of worship such as Experiencing Church / Christmas and Easter services, further develop the children s understanding of the Church.

6 St Oswald s is a Dementia friendly Church Forget me not which runs on the second Tuesday of each month at the Hinstock Memorial Hall. Harvest and Christmas celebration services for the children from Hinstock School, further support their Christian growth. Unique forms of worship such as Experiencing Church / Christmas and Easter services, further develop the children s understanding of the Church. There is a good band of bell-ringers and bells are rung for main and special services and occasions. The Church has an electoral roll of 53 and a PCC of 10 members. A benefice bulletin is produced every week with Church service times and additional news / activities. The Church magazine currently is under review, although a small but effective monthly letter details the main Church activities. Volunteers (especially our organist and captain of bells) keep the churchyard in a lovely condition. The cemetery is situated a short distance from the Church and is mowed regularly and is financed through the Hinstock Cemetery Trust. Village Activities Hinstock Primary School is a community school funded by Shropshire Council. The school caters for children between the ages of four and eleven, taking in a maximum of 17 children in each year group. It was extended in 2004 and thoroughly modernised to accommodate over 138 primary and junior pupils from both Hinstock and the surrounding area. Hinstock Hedgehogs Nursery opened its doors in 2008 to provide for children from age 2 years until starting school. Assemblies with clergy present are very popular at the school. The Memorial Hall is the venue for most activities including WI, flower club, Playgroup/Mothers and Toddlers Club, Keep Fit, Bingo and the Big Breakfast event. 6

The recreation ground with play area for young children has an enclosed football pitch and all weather Tennis Courts, plus BMX bicycle ramps and a shelter provided for older children.

7 The recreation ground with play area for young children has an enclosed football pitch and all weather Tennis Courts, plus BMX bicycle ramps and a shelter provided for older children. The Tennis Club offers coaching for all ages, especially children. There is also a Cricket Club with their own ground and Billiards and Snooker in the Jubilee Room next to the Memorial Hall. The war memorial and ten other flower beds and baskets around the village are planted and maintained by the Village Initiative group who also organise regular litter picks. There is an Over 60 s Pub Lunch Club which meets monthly at a local inn and organises day trips to places of interest are planned from time to time. The village voluntary organisations include Neighbourhood Watch and Hinstock Rural Concern and also a Woodland Trust site at the southern end of the village. 7

Village Amenities St Oswald s Church has links with the Methodist

There is a shop/post Office, one public house and several

Hinstock Manor Residential Care Home is located in the picturesque

The Residential Home can accommodate up to 51 residents in 48 rooms

8 Village Amenities St Oswald s Church has links with the Methodist Chapel which is situated towards the northern side of the village. There is a shop/post Office, one public house and several specialist retail businesses. Hinstock Manor Residential Care Home is located in the picturesque village. The Residential Home can accommodate up to 51 residents in 48 rooms and two one bedroom apartments - 35 of these rooms are en-suite. Each month some residents receive Holy Communion from the benefice lay reader with support from lay ministry. 8

Despite the village not being well-served with public transport, Shropshire Link provides a service two days a week in Market Drayton and a community

The Parish of Hinstock is an excellent area in which country lovers can ramble.

9 Despite the village not being well-served with public transport, Shropshire Link provides a service two days a week in Market Drayton and a community car scheme is available to those non-drivers and disabled residents requiring transport to attend medical appointments. The Parish of Hinstock is an excellent area in which country lovers can ramble. Our Footpath Officer together with Shropshire Council has been very active in getting the many footpaths and bridleways clearly signed. A small parcel of land has been acquired from Hinstock Parish Council for a small group of villagers to rent as allotments. 9

The Future Saint Oswald s 1. Guided by active and permanent clergy, we would aim to increase interest in the Church and thereby a growing attendance. 2.

10 The Future Saint Oswald s 1. Guided by active and permanent clergy, we would aim to increase interest in the Church and thereby a growing attendance. 2. Try to incorporate people s choice of services both from a wide range of traditional and more modern, lively and participative forms. 3. Maintain and build upon our links with the village such as the School, the Residential Home and other organisations where appropriate. 4. Encourage new residents to join us by introductory free news letter and letter of welcome. 5. Hinstock Church has been improved to include toilet and kitchen facilities which are a benefit in attracting social functions in the Church. The Hinstock Hymn The Reverend John Ellerton, famous nineteenth century hymn writer, was rector of Hinstock and is well remembered for The day thou gavest Lord is ended. However, we must look forward and pray that The day thou gavest Lord is only just the beginning... Amen. Prepared 10

Cricklade. Introduction

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