Delaval Parish Profile April 2012

The Church of our Lady

St Michael's Church

St Paul's Church

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CONTENTS

Page Contents.

3. Mission statement

4 & 5 The local community, Additional Amenities and Transport

6. Delaval Vicarage

7 & 8 The Parish of Delaval

9. Church Community

10. Worship

11 & 12 Church Structures

13, 14 & 15 Church Activities

16. Ecumenical Relationships

17. Seaton Delaval Hall

18 Finances

19 Vision

20. Vicar’s Profile

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DELAVAL PARISH

MISSION STATEMENT

“ TO BE THE BODY OF CHRIST IN DELAVAL”

ACTING IN UNITY AND LOVE WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST BY:

WORSHIPPING JESUS CHRIST AS LORD

LIVING OUT OUR FAITH

TEACHING AND LEARNING

GROWING IN FAITH, FELLOWSHIP AND NUMBERS

PASTORAL CARE

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The Local Community

The Parish of Delaval consists of three villages: Seaton Sluice merged with Old Hartley with a total population of around 3000 and New Hartley with a population of about 2000. Placed between these two communities is Delaval Vicarage close to Seaton Delaval Hall, Sir John Vanburgh’s masterpiece, built in 1727.

The Parish is situated on the south east coast of Northumberland, renowned for its long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches and bays. To the north of Seaton Sluice is the port of Blyth, to the south are the seaside towns of Whitley Bay and Tynemouth and to the west surrounded by farmland is the village of New Hartley, beyond which lies the city of Newcastle about twelve miles away.

The area boasts a long history of farming, coal mining and a harbour which was once a hive of industry exporting bottles, coal and salt.

Today the area is mainly residential with small local businesses. Seaton Sluice and New Hartley are long established, stable communities with some recent housing development in New Hartley.

Seaton Sluice and Old Hartley.

Seaton Sluice village has a picturesque harbour for fishing boats and attracts large numbers of visitors throughout the year, particularly during the summer months. It is a good centre for walking and cycling with magnificent coastal views, woodland, dene, river, farmland and wildlife to enjoy.

St Paul’s Church and a Methodist Chapel are situated in the village which also has First and Middle Schools, a post office, chemist, general store, fish and chip shop, hairdresser, tea room, caravan site, repair garage, five public houses and a social club. There is also a doctors’ surgery, two

care homes and a sheltered housing scheme for elderly residents. For the sports-orientated there is a football pitch, basketball court and bowling green. Seaton Sluice has a well-used community centre with a wide variety of classes and activities for all ages, a good library and events throughout the year including Harbour Day. There are strong links between the local community and all three Parish churches.

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New Hartley

New Hartley is a former coal mining village. The pit closed in 1959 and all traces of industry have been removed. The pit heaps have been transformed into pleasant woodlands and there is a memorial garden in the village centre. It is now a compact commuter village with over 800 houses and a population with a wide range of ages. There are several different types of housing for the elderly and a mixture of family homes which is helping to bring in young families with children.

Amenities include a large recently refurbished community hall in the centre of the village offering a wide range of activities for all ages. Next to the hall is a large field used by several football and cricket teams and two children’s play areas.

In the centre there are two churches St. Michael’s (Church of England) and Our Lady & St Joseph’s (Roman Catholic). There is also a post office, general dealer, hairdresser and a public house and working men’s club nearby.

Schools

The schools in Seaton Valley Partnership form a pyramid with the three tier system of first, middle and high schools. Seaton Sluice First School feeds into Seaton Sluice Middle School, New Hartley First School into Whytrig Middle School in Seaton Delaval and from these middle schools all children can attend Astley Community High School which has a 6th form. Some children from the villages attend the newly formed Bede Academy in Blyth, part of the Emanuel Schools Foundation and others attend private schools in Tynemouth or Newcastle. The village schools all had very good Ofsted reports.

Additional Amenities

The village communities benefit from being within easy reach of several towns with an extended choice of shops and supermarkets, doctors’ and dental practices, hospitals with A and E departments, sports facilities, leisure centres, swimming pools, soft play centres, a yacht club, ice rink, parks and play areas.

Newcastle is easily accessible with St Nicholas Cathedral, two excellent universities, theatres and museums. Across the Tyne is Gateshead’s The Sage international music centre, The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts and the Metrocentre shopping complex.

Transport

Good roads, bus services and the Tyne and Wear Metro give access to all major road and rail routes within the county and to Scotland, the south and the Lake District as well as to Newcastle Airport with its comprehensive schedule of internal and international flights.

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Delaval Vicarage

The Vicarage is a modern detached four bed-roomed house built in the 1980’s and situated in beautiful, peaceful countryside close to Delaval Hall. Its central location between the villages of New Hartley and Seaton Sluice is ideal for good contact with local communities.

There are two reception rooms downstairs with a study, kitchen, cloakroom and utility room. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a bathroom and toilet. The house has gas central heating and an alarm system fitted.

There are lawned gardens to the front, side and rear of the house with clear views of the sea to the north and open fields to the south.

Good parking space is available together with a single garage.

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The Parish of Delaval

The Parish of Delaval, originally part of the Parish of Earsdon, was established in 1891 to incorporate the villages of Old Hartley, Seaton Sluice and New Hartley. There were to be three churches in the

Parish; The Church of Our Lady at Seaton, St Paul’s at Seaton Sluice and St Michael’s at New Hartley. Lord Hastings became the patron of Delaval Parish, donating

The Church of Our Lady as Parish Church along with land for a burial ground

and a house for the

incumbent.

The Parish Church of Our Lady, Seaton

This Norman church, built in 1102, is situated in a beautiful, peaceful area of land west of Seaton Delaval Hall. The grade 1 listed church noted for the two Norman arches, is approached through its own gates along a winding drive close to the boundary fence of the Hall garden.

The church will seat up to 70 in the nave in wooden pews and 10 in the choir if needed.

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Our Lady is used by a small congregation for regular Sunday services which travels from many directions to worship and is a very popular venue for marriages.

During the Easter holiday and summer months, the church opens on Fridays and Sunday afternoons. Hundreds of visitors come through the Hall garden to explore and enjoy the special beauty and reverence of this building.

For the past 12 years, the church has been professionally monitored for movement, and this is on-going.

St Paul’s Church, Seaton Sluice

St Paul’s Church was built in 1914 in the village centre and was gifted to the PCC to be run as a community facility.

It was consecrated as a church in 1961. The open clerestory design and high pitched roof give a light, airy, welcoming feel to

the interior. New, clear glass windows with etched designs of the local area allow viewing both outward and inward. The church layout has recently been reordered, along with external decking to enable more flexible use of space. Oak pews have been replaced with comfortable, moveable chairs seating 150.

Many church and local groups use the church, hall, small meeting room and kitchen for activities.

There is a small car park outside the church and large grassed areas leading down to the Dene, harbour and beach.

The Church of St Michael’s and All Angels, New Hartley.

St Michael’s Church, was constructed in 1900, and is surrounded by garden areas of lawns, trees and shrubs.

Reordered in its Centenary in 2000, light floods down from tall stained glass, lancet

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windows into the welcoming space with modern, comfortable chairs. Up to a 100 people can be seated.

The large space of the church can be quickly converted into a very useful and friendly area for parish parties, fund raising events or special services while still maintaining the reverence of its principle purpose.

The adjoining well lit hall with kitchen and toilet facilities is fully equipped with modern, foldable tables and chairs and worktop space for activities.

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Church Community

The Delaval Parish has three churches and an electoral roll of 126.

We have predominately older congregations, but regular family services are well attended and the number of young families attending is increasing.

There is a happy and relaxed atmosphere in all three churches.

The average number of Adult regular worshipers in each of the three churches over the last year is:

St Paul’s 45

St Michael’s 22

Church Of Our Lady 13

At least 18 of these parishioners live outside the Parish.

Parish of Delaval Statistic 2011Electoral Role 126Average Sunday Communicants 70Average Sunday Attendance 80Baptisms 21Confirmations 1 Weddings 7Funerals 25Housebound communions for the sick or housebound 2 per monthCare Home Communicants 38 per monthCommunions to those who are ill, as and when required.

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Worship

The main Eucharistic services in all three churches use Common Worship Order 1 with separate booklets for each season. A B.C.P. Service is used at Our Lady on the first Sunday of the month. Churchmanship is ‘Middle of the Road’ Anglican. Vestments are worn at all three churches. There are ‘servers’ at the 9am and 10.30am services and all three churches have at least two members licensed to administer the chalice. The first two readings are read by members of the congregation as are the intercessions at St. Paul’s and St. Michael’s. Training has been offered but is in need of updating.

Hymns, mostly traditional are taken from Hymns Old and New and are sung at 9am and 10.30am services. With only one organist, singing at St. Michael’s is accompanied by C.D.’s. When an organist is available the Eucharist is sung and occasionally a guitarist is available. This is used mainly at St. Michael’s to compensate for their lack of an organist. There are no choirs.

There is a happy and relaxed atmosphere at all three churches, which does not detract from the sincerity of the worship.

Sunday Worship Pattern:

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5

Church of

Our Lady

(Said Services)

8am

(B.C.P.)Holy Communion

8am

Holy Communion

8am

Holy Communion

8am

Holy Communion

10.00am Parish Communion withHealing Service held alternately

St. Michael’s

9am

Holy Communion

10.30am

Holy Communion

9am

Holy Communion

10.30am

Holy Communion

St. Paul’s

10.30am

Family Service

9am

Holy Communion

10.30am

Holy Communion

9am

Holy Communion

Mid-week Services:

Monday – 8.00am Morning Prayer at St. Paul’s

Thursday – 10.00am Holy Communion at St. Paul’s

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Church Structures

The PCC

The PCC works across the parish and meets monthly. It works hard to bring about the smooth running of the parish and give support to the clergy.

In an effort to delegate some of the work, there are various groups which report back to the PCC, namely:

The Buildings Group

This group is made up of the Churchwarden and volunteers from all three churches who oversee the fabric and maintenance of the church properties and implement statutory regulations.

The Communications GroupThis group was given the brief to improve communication throughout the parish. It also gives support to those who are responsible for the Parish Magazine, the Newsletter and the Parish Website.

The Local Ministry GroupThis group was formed in 2003. It makes reports to the PCC, highlighting topics for suggested further development and bringing the spiritual needs of the Parish into focus.

The Social GroupThe Social Group meets annually to plan the year’s social

calendar for the parish.

The Parish Office

The Parish Office is based at St. Paul’s, where most of the Parish administration is carried out. We have a part time administrator. All the Parish records are fully up to date, including Health and Safety and CRB checks.

Quinquennial Inspections.

All three churches are up to date with their Quinquennial inspections and all the recommendations made in them are in the process of being carried out.

Baptism Visiting.

Baptism preparation is overseen across the parish by a dedicated team of people.

Reader and Clergy.

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At present we have a Reader, an OLM priest and the services of two retired clergy.

The Bottleworks Project

This project is a registered charity which was established to encourage a greater use of church facilities by the local community. This has so far been achieved by enabling artists from the North

East in all genres to exhibit using the space at St. Paul’s. Various alterations to St. Paul’s hall and facilities have already been financed from the Bottleworks Project, through holding annual Art and Photography exhibitions and Art and Craft Fairs. It has a growing reputation throughout the region. . It is hoped to continue the reordering of facilities by the provision of an improved kitchen when funds are available.

“Popbottles” is a junior branch of the project and is most successful.

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Church Activities

Children’s Corner

St Michael’s and St. Paul’s have designated spaces for a Children’s Corner, which are proving to be very popular and well used.

Church Cleaning and Flower Arranging

All three churches are kept in beautiful condition by dedicated teams of cleaners and flower arrangers.

Craft Work

Various people use their creative skills in a variety of ways within the parish.

A small group has produced and kept updated commemorative tablecloths on which they embroider the names and dates of baptisms and marriages which have taken place within the parish.

Banners are occasionally produced, as well as jam making and the sale of handmade cards.

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Friends of Our Lady

The Friends of Our Lady is a registered charity, working towards preserving the ancient and beautiful “Parish Church of Our Lady”. Volunteers work as visitor’s guides from May to September. Their funds have, for the past four years, paid for the running, upkeep and maintenance of Our Lady.

Mothers Union

The Mothers Union has a very strong following and they work tirelessly towards a project in Mityana, Uganda, and sending boxes to our troops in Afghanistan. They also support the Northumberland Women’s Refuge and the People’s Kitchen. The members are involved in many activities across the parish, such as the Toddler Group, church cleaning, flower arranging, sick visiting, baptism visiting and the Day Centre in Seaton Sluice. They also organise an annual party for all children who have been baptised in the parish in the five years after their baptism.

Open Doors

St. Michael’s opens its doors to all, every Thursday from 10am – 2pm. Here you will find a warm, friendly welcome, refreshments and a variety of activities, such as the knitting of prayer shawls and card making. Children from the local school now visit on a regular basis and join in the activities.

There is an on-going sale of books during Open Doors hours. There is a very large library with a wide selection of books.

‘Popbottles ‘

This is an Art and Craft workshop for children aged seven and over, which is held from 10am to 12 noon on the last Saturday of the month, with the exception of July and August. There is a charge of £2 per session to cover the cost of materials.

Prayer Group

The Prayer group is held at St Paul’s on the second Wednesday of every month at 10am. All are welcome to join in a time of quiet, prayer and reflection.

Rainbows and Brownies

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Both St. Michael’s and St Paul’s have Rainbow and Brownie packs. Both Rainbow groups meet on Thursdays at 5.30pm, while on Mondays, St. Michael’s Brownies meet at 5.30pm and St Paul’s Brownies at 6pm.

Sunday Special

This non Eucharistic service is held at St Paul’s on the first Sunday of the Month at 10.30am. It is attracting a growing number of young families and people who are on the fringe of faith.

Toddler Group

Every Thursday, the very successful Toddler Group, meets at St. Paul’s at 9.15am.

The fruit of this group is an increase in the number of Baptisms.

Walking Group

The Walking Group meets for a regular walk on the first Saturday of each month.

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Ecumenical relationship

The parish is a member church of Delaval Churches Together. DCT activities include a “Lent Pilgrimage” in which we visit each member church during Lent for a Sunday evening service; a Dawn Service on the beach on Easter Day, followed by breakfast; Advent Services and a “Songs of Praise” in Delaval Hall. We join in fundraising for Christian Aid and CAFOD.

We alternate the taking of Holy Communion services in Beresford Court and Hartley Court (two of the parish residential care homes) with the Methodist Church.

We have regular contact with the neighbouring Seghill Parish through the Mothers Union and a Quiz evening.

Local Schools

We have excellent links with Seaton Sluice and New Hartley First Schools, including Carol Services, Assemblies and helping children with their reading. There are also links with Seaton Sluice Middle School and this is developing.

Educational visits to Our Lady have taken place at all levels, from local schools to groups of professional architects and there is a rich opportunity to further this involvement with the community.

Residential Care Homes

We are welcomed into the four care homes in the parish. As well as Beresford Court and Hartley Court mentioned above, there are also monthly communions at both Beresford Lodge and Admorre House.

Civic Life

Annual Remembrance Day services are held at the War Memorials in Seaton Sluice and New Hartley, led by the Delaval Parish Clergy. Numbers at these services are increasing, not decreasing!

This year saw the 150th anniversary of the Hartley Pit Disaster, when 204 men and boys lost their lives. A series of well supported events was held to commemorate this disaster, which had such an effect on local people.

Church and Community

We are constantly seeking ways of reaching out to our communities.

Many church members have taken on roles of service and leadership within the village communities and are involved in a wide range of village activities, such as the Day Centre for the Housebound, the Women’s institute, the Resident’s Association, the Seaton Sluice Festival of Music and the Community Centres.

Many also support a diverse range of clubs and interest groups or act as guides at local historical places of interest.

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History of Seaton Delaval Hall

The most impressive building in the Parish is Seaton Delaval Hall, built by the Delaval Family.

Over several years they developed the small harbour village of Seaton Sluice into an industrial complex, making and exporting over a million glass bottles a year, shipping coal to London and harvesting salt from sea water.

During the 20th century the Hastings family supported the Parish in many ways.

The late Lord Hastings, who resided at Delaval Hall with his wife and family, was a founder member of the Friends of The Church Our Lady on the occasion of its 900th anniversary in 2002. On his death in 2007 he was buried in the Hall grounds close to the church.

Seaton Delaval Hall was acquired by the National Trust in 2010 and has become one of their major attractions in the North East.

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Finances

Good stewardship and sound financial management are fundamental to the operation of Delaval Parish. A cash flow forecast is prepared at the beginning of each year to provide an indicator as to likely financial performance and raise awareness of issues that may need to be budgeted for in conjunction with paying towards our Parish Share.

We are extremely fortunate to have financial support from The Bottleworks Project and the Friends of The Church of Our Lady. Their significant contributions greatly support the development and upkeep of our churches.

Envelope Scheme and Gift Aid in Delaval Parish

An envelope scheme has been available in Delaval Parish for many years. Parishioners are able to give weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually.

At present we have 62 members in the envelope scheme.

Last year we were able to claim £4,809 back from the government through the Gift Aid Scheme.

Expenses of Office

The Parish pays the vicarage water rates, council tax and telephone rental.

All expenses of office are met, and the Parish also contributes to the cost of an annual retreat, as well as making a book grant.

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Vision

Our hope for the future is to a vibrant, active, relevant, meaningful Christian presence within our communities.

We seek to work alongside, with and for a priest who will help us to build on what we feel we have achieved so far in all three of our churches. We are ready, open and excited to explore together the next stage of our church life.

We seek to discern areas of work still to be done, to utilise the gifts, resources and buildings at our disposal.

Due to the physical and geographical distance between our churches, we seek to continue to improve our work in building one church community.

We see great potential for growth through the increasing numbers at our main places of outreach, such as Family Services, Toddlers and Open Doors. We feel that developing these areas is an important part of our vision

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Vicar’s Profile

Our hope is for a priest who will:

Work with us and beside us as we seek to bring God’s love to all his people.

Nurture, enthuse and inspire us in our faith – our prayer life, Bible study and spiritual growth.

Bring to us his or her own unique gifts and talents and encourage us to develop and use ours.

Enable and challenge us to look beyond the four walls of the church.

Work with us to build on the community links we have already made.

Bring a fresh and new perspective to worship.

Take us forward together as the Church in Delaval Parish.

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