Upcoming Events and News
Welcome to The Benefice of The Huntspills and Mark.
In addition to the schedule of events shown on the right, you can find further details about upcoming events below and a monthly calendar at the bottom of this page.
If you are looking for social events planned for the year ahead visit our Social Calendar
For a snap shot of village life, check out Gallery: East Huntspill Gallery: West Huntspill Gallery: Mark
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Social Events and Special Services Community Gatherings News Foodbank Bishop Michael Revd Chris’ Blog Huntspill News Heritage Project West Huntspill Church Hall
Social Events and Special Services
If you are looking for social events planned for the year ahead visit our Social Calendar
To find out more about upcoming events in East Huntspill visit Huntspill.org or email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com to receive monthly flyers.
Friday 17th October All Saints Supper, East Huntspill
Celebrate All Saints with great company and good food.
7pm for 7.30pm start.
Tickets £7.50 per person, please bring your own drink.
Contact Sara 01278 788665 or Sue 01278 786790 to reserve your ticket.
For more information, please contact us via email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com
Sunday 19th October Harvest Festival Service, Holy Cross Church Mark
Holy Cross Church, Mark
9.30 Sunday 19th October
Harvest Festival Service
Donations for Food bank
All Welcome!
Sunday 2nd November All Saints Day Service, All Saints Church East Huntspill
Join as we celebrate All Saints Day
Sunday 2nd November 10am
United Benefice Holy Communion Service
All Saints Church, East Huntspill
All Welcome
Sunday 9th November Remembrance Service
Remembrance Service Sunday 9th November
10.45am– Holy Cross Church, Mark
10.45am St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill
3.00pm All Saints Church, East Huntspill
All Welcome
Saturday 15th November Murder Mystery, East Huntspill
Murder Mystery
7pm start Saturday 15th November
Can you solve the case and catch the culprit?
Tickets £5 per person, please bring your own drink.
Contact Sara 01278 788665
For more information, please contact us via email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com
Wednesday 19th November Bible Course All Saints Church, Mark Church Hall
Final Session
3pm Wednesday 19th November Mark Church Hall (please contact for information about Tuesday’s meeting)
New to the Bible or want to go deeper? The Bible Course is for you. It shows how the key books, famous characters and epic events form one BIG story, from Genesis to Revelation. The course also provides tools and skills that help apply the Bible to everyday life.
This eight-session course is ideal for groups. Each session includes video content, discussion time, personal reflection and daily readings. Explore the BIG story and discover its relevance for today.
For more information or to book your place, email markchurchbiblecourse@gmail.com or contact Yo on 07725 149581. Visit biblesociety.org.uk/thebiblecourse to find out more.
Saturday 22nd November Christmas Bazaar, Mark
Join us in Mark Church for our Christmas Bazaar
Saturday 22n2 November
11-2pm~Craft stalls, Cakes, Raffle, Games, Cream Teas and Sausage Rolls
for more information contact 641225 641308
Community Gatherings
Come along to one of our socials for a coffee, cake and chat. For further information Community Gatherings and Huntspill Hub
Daily 10am- 4pm, Huntspill Hub Honesty Café
Monday 10.30 -12noon, Coffee Morning, West Huntspill
Tuesday 10.00-12noon, Craft and Chatter, Mark
Wednesday 10.30-12noon, Coffee Morning, Mark
Saturday 10.30-12noon, Coffee Morning, East Huntspill
3rd Saturday 10.30-12noon Monthly Cake Sale, East Huntspill
News
For a snapshot of village life, check out Gallery: East Huntspill Gallery: West Huntspill Gallery: Mark
Saving the Heritage, Sustaining the Community. Celebrating a decade of progress! Thank you burnham-on-sea.com’ for the lovely photos!
On Saturday 19th July 2025 a celebration was held at The Huntspill Hub, St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill, to mark the official end of the building project that was instigated when the Church was at risk of closure due to falling masonry.
Rev Tonya Nixon, former Rector of The Huntspills & Mark initiated this decade of change, and supported by their faithful church congregation, a small but effective team consisting of Project Leader David Lemon, Grants Manager Sara Puddy and Treasurer Mel Wall carried it forward through an extended vacancy and the multiple challenges of covid!
Eventually, with the assistance of a vast professional network, all was in place for the building work to take place. Commencing with the internal refurbishment enabled the Café to be opened early in the process, and thanks to Activities Co-ordinator, Ginny Power and The Social Committee led by Margaret Roper, a variety of activities have already been embarked upon to support the local community.
The restored tower now stands safe and secure, with stonework repaired and reinforced. Inside, the removal of traditional pews at the back of the church allowed for a reordering of the space, including the installation of new flooring, a modern kitchen, and accessible toilets. The church now hosts a weekly community café every Monday morning, attracting 50–60 visitors, and with monthly village agent attendance.
There is also an Honesty Café available for visitors throughout the week (10am – 4pm), where they can make themselves drinks and explore the church’s history via new touchscreen displays and heritage booklets, part of the church’s new role as a heritage hub. Free Wi-Fi is also now available for church visitors.
Project Leader, David Lemon said: “It’s been quite a journey — we’ve faced real challenges, but what has been achieved is fantastic. The community’s wonderful support and enthusiasm have made all the difference.”
Rector, Rev Christine Judson, thanked everyone who has guided and supported this venture – among them the professionals and the volunteers, church and community members, Diocesan and National Heritage Lottery staff. Reflecting on all that has been achieved, Rev Chris said: “This church has 800 years of history behind it – proclaiming the love of Christ through word and deed. Thanks to the National Heritage Lottery and all who have provided match funding, we have been able to protect this heritage. Now an equally important and exciting future lies ahead, to which we look with great hope – trusting in God and working together with our whole community.”
Please click to read all about the project West Huntspill church Final Evaluation Report
VE Celebrations at the Huntspill Hub
VE Day celebration which was enjoyed by 81 people from the village and surrounding area.
The singing was lead by the Serendipity Singers, with old News Reel footage of the celebrations at the time.
Visit West Huntspill Gallery to see more Gallery: West Huntspill
Licensing of Rev Margaret Hayward service held at All Saints, East Huntspill
My name is Margaret Hayward and I am delighted to be part of the ministry team in the Benefice of the Huntspills and Mark.
I was licensed as an Associate Priest in this benefice on 22nd January 2025 and look forward to being part of rector reverend Christine’s ministry team and work part-time as directed by her.
Freda Carey visits East Huntspill
Freda Carey, of the Church Mission Society, visited East Huntspill Church and gave us all an in sight in to her work in Pakistan.
All Saints Church, East Huntspill decorating completed
Check out the video for a views of All Saints you don’t normally see and more in our gallery! Gallery: East Huntspill
Ashley Fox MP visits Huntspill Hub, West Huntspill
Ashley Fox MP for Burnham & Bridgwater visits the Huntspill Hub at St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill
Burnham RNLI’s helm Matt Edwards tied the knot with fiancé Abbey,
After their traditional service and the signing of the register, they left the church to see a group of lifeboat crew and well-wishers were formed in two lines outside the church door with an archway of oars.
The happy couple walked to the end of the lines accompanied by congratulatory applause from lifeboat volunteers and wedding guests.
Thank you burnham-on-sea.com’ for the lovely photos! Burnham on Sea .com
Ecclesiastical Insurance
The next time that you renew your home insurance why not get a quote from ecclesiastical
Call 0345 777 3322 or www.ecclesiastical.com/home-insurance/
Each time one of our community takes out a home insurance policy with ecclesiastical, they will donate a £130 to our church, just by referencing TRUST 130 on the telephone or using promotion code TRUST 130 online
One of the UK’s most trusted home insurance providers and a ’Which?’ Best Buy
Enjoying the countryside
Our local Police Officer, PC Tracey Jones, has asked that we share the following information concerning livestock as they have been responding to problems recently along these lines.
We have also found these guidelines to help make our area safe for all.
Foodbank
Harvest Festival Services Support Highbridge Area Foodbank
In September, All Saints Church, East Huntspill, and St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill held their Harvest Festival Services. As part of these celebrations, gifts were collected for our local foodbank. Highbridge Area Foodbank is managed and operated entirely by volunteers. They pack emergency food parcels for single people, couples and families. These parcels contain sufficient non-perishable food and drink to provide 3 meals a day for 3 days for every member of the household.
As well as food, when needed they are able to provide toiletries (toilet rolls are included in the standard parcels), pet food, laundry & cleaning items, nappies and sanitary wear. Last year they provided the equivalent of 23,000 meals, a third of which went to children. They also fund a financial inclusion service which has been of great benefit to many of their Foodbank clients.
The foodbank welcomes donations of in-date, non-perishable food, excluding baby formula or items containing alcohol. Collection baskets for in-store purchases can be found in Burnham’s Tesco and Asda in Highbridge. Other donations are received during Foodbank sessions at the Methodist Church in Burnham. In addition to food donations, they value the financial support given from our local community. Currently they need to spend in the region of £1,000 a month on additional food stock.
Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to our Harvest Festivals. Maxine Bashford, from Highbridge Area Foodbank received the gifts that were collected and said: “We are grateful to everyone who supports our Foodbank in anyway. Such support makes a positive difference to the lives of our neighbours in difficult times. Thank you”
We support Highbridge Area Foodbank and donations can be left in all three Churches.
For further information please visit highbridgearea.foodbank.org.uk
Thank you for your support
Bishop of Bath and Wells: Refreshing our diocesan vision
Our Diocesan Vision: In response to God’s immense love for us we seek to be God’s people living and telling the story of Jesus.
We seek to live this story as disciples of Jesus Christ in the world and to tell it, both in sharing the good news and by the way in which our lives speak about Him.
Bishop Michael has identified four areas that might help us focus our activity as we live out our vision:
• Valuing and cherishing the people and resources we already have
• Developing new Christian worshipping communities
• Sharing in ministry and leadership
• Deepening and growing faith
You can hear Bishop Michael sharing his thoughts on refreshing our vision:
Visit Bath and Wells website to find out more
Rev Margaret’s Blog,
November 2025 ‘Remembering’
November is the month of remembering. We remember those who have died and those who have become known as Saints. There are many stories which surround those who have died and the Saints and those stories are often encouraging and inspiring.
Nature also reminds us that it is a time of remembering. The leaves on the trees fall and the light of the day becomes shorter. We remember the lovely green leaves of summer and warm days filled with sunlight. Whilst I was out walking recently in aid of Dementia UK (Thank You to all who sponsored me and prayed) I walked along “Colonel Stephens Way” a footpath on a disused railway line. In the space of 3/4mile I saw the loveliest plants which caused me to remember some folk law about those plants.I pray that as you remember loved ones this November your hearts will be warmed and comforted.
Reverend Margaret.
The Huntspill News
The Huntspill News is now available in printed form or an electronic version View this month’s publication (PDF)
St Peter and All Hallows Church Heritage Project
Find out more under our Heritage Section Heritage Project and Huntspill Hub
As the project draws to an end, over 10 years since the formation of the Now and Beyond Group that was formed to look at where the Church was and where we wanted it to be, I can reflect with some joy for the journey we have been on and the position we find ourselves now in. This has been a community project driven by the two surveys which engaged the whole village. Read the latest progress report in full Heritage Project
The Benefice Church Halls
All Saints Church Hall, East Huntspill
Did you know that you can hire East Huntspill Church Hall for £25 per session? This includes heating and use of the kitchen. Ideal for children’s parties, family gatherings and other social events. Regular users £17.50 per session.
To book or for further details please contact Booking Clerk Ruth Edwards 01278 784329 easthuntspillchurchhall@hotmail.com
Balliol Hall, West Huntspill
The Hall is available for hire to members of the public and is a fantastic venue for events and occasions, such as parties, fund raising events, meetings, wedding receptions, indoor sports, clubs etc.
Its position right next to the Church makes it particularly convenient for refreshments before or after events at the Church.
There are two function rooms, the Main Hall and the School Room, as well as modern kitchen facilities.
For more information visit The Balliol Hall
Holy Cross Church Hall, Mark
Mark Church Hall is a small hall with a kitchen, toilets and a stage. Perfect for meetings or a party.
To book, or for further details please ring Peter Higman on 01278 641479