Upcoming Events and News
Welcome to The Benefice of The Huntspills .
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
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Bishop Michael Social Events and Special Services Community Gatherings News Foodbank Rev Chris’ Blog Huntspill News Heritage Project West Huntspill Church Hall
Bishop of Bath and Wells: A Call to Prayer
“Across our diocese of Bath and Wells I would like to make 2026 a year of especial focus on prayer. To be clear, this is not because I think we’re not praying. We are. But could we learn to pray better and pray more? I think we could. Might we do better if we sought to learn from each other? Almost definitely. Might focusing more on prayer shape us to become the people God has created us to be? Certainly. Could we become the answer to our prayers? In God’s good grace I hope so.”
Bishop Michael
You can hear Bishop Michael sharing his invitation to a year of prayer:
Visit Bath and Wells website to find out more
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 12th June Games Time at the Huntspill Hub, West Huntspill
Friday 12th June 2pm – 4pm
Games Afternoon at The Huntspill Hub
Plenty of games to try with tea and biscuits
come as a team of 4, or make up a team when you arrive
An afternoon of fun for everyone!
Saturday 13th June Prize Bingo at the Bailliol Hall, West Huntspill
Prize Bingo at The Balliol Halll
Saturday 13th June 2-30pm
For All the Family
Bring Your Own drinks
Thursday 18th June Tea and Talk at the Huntspill Hub, West Huntspill
Tea and Talk at the Huntspill Hub
Thursday 18th June
2.30pm
Edwardian Occasions
A talk by Yvonne Bell on Edwardian Occasions in London, Harrods, Selfridges and the like
Followed by Tea & Cake £4 – pay on the day. A Raffle will be held.
For more information, please contact Bronwen 01278 783697
Saturday 27th June Strawberry Tea, East Huntspill
Join us at 3pm for a Scrumptious Strawberry Tea of homemade cakes and lashes of tea.
Come along and enjoy an afternoon of good company and catch up with a friend or two.
For Tickets phone Sue 01278 786790or email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com
First Thursday of the month Prayer Club, East Huntspill
Prayer Club All Saints Church, East Huntspill
7pm-8pm
First Thursday of the month
All welcome come and join us…
ASK… SEEK… KNOCK…
Explore praying together…
Being inspired by scripture, music, worship and fellowship
Text 07596598209 for details
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
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
Commissioning of our Pastoral Assistant & Affirmation of our Worship Leaders.
A United Benefice Service was held at All Saints Church, East Huntspill on Trinity Sunday. Rev Chris Judson, on behalf of Bishop Michael, warmly welcomed and commissioned Louise Trott as Pastoral Assistant in the Benefice of The Huntspills.
Rev Chris Judson, on behalf of Bishop Michael, thanked and commissioned Mark Saunders, Kelton & Sharon Black to continue to serve God as Worship Assistants in the Benefice of The Huntspills.
Rev Chris Judson presented Kelton Black with his certificate from Bishop Michael as a Local Preacher in the Benefice of The Huntspills.
A Generous Gift to East Huntspill from Heather & Nick and friends.
After 2 years of caring for All Saints Graveyard in East Huntspill, Heather & Nick Baker have had to step down due to personal reasons beyond their control.
Before stepping down, however, they were determined to make a difference to the far end of the graveyard. This area had been rather neglected over time.
Heather & Nick encouraged many people to help them, and still others to contribute resources. On Saturday 28th March they and their team set about transforming the area.
They achieved a huge amount in one day! As well as tackling the brambles and the discarded earth, they have created a brand new garden area.
THANK YOU, Heather & Nick and all of your team and benefactors… THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Visit the Gallery: East Huntspill page to checkout the transformation as well as some amazing drone footage.
Benefice Changes from 1st January 2026
On 1st January 2026 Mark Parish moved to become part of the new ‘Wedmore – Isle and Moors’ Benefice, led by Preb Richard Neill as Vicar and Revd Joy Hawes as Associate Priest, and supported by several retired clergy. Richard is an experienced priest, who has been Area Dean for Axbridge Deanery until very recently – a role that Joy has now taken on. They have been getting to know Mark Parish better over the last few months and have worked together with all the parishes that are forming the new benefice to ensure that this development is successful in every respect. The other parishes involved in this new benefice are Allerton, Blackford, Theale and Wedmore.
This change has come about due to the need for Axbridge Deanery to reduce its stipendiary clergy from 9 to 7, a cut-back necessary for Bath & Wells Diocese to reduce its deficit budget. The saving is being made as East & West Huntspill Parishes (The Huntspills Benefice) continue to be led by Rev Christine Judson as Rector, but on reduced hours, on a part-time (0.5) stipend.
All of these changes have taken a great deal of consultation and much hard work to put into place and will take time to settle. Please do not hesitate to ask, wherever uncertainties arise. Understandably, there is a sadness in letting go of the way things have been, but our God is a God of Resurrection, and we trust that he can bring good out of all situations. Let us all look to the future with hope, and be open to the many ways God calls us all to share his love, through prayer and action, walking with Christ each and every day.
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
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
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
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 Saints Church East Huntspill and St Peter and All Hallows Church West Huntspill.
For further information please visit highbridgearea.foodbank.org.uk
Thank you for your support
Rev Chris’ Blog,
June 2026 ‘Strawberry Moon’
June is here at last – the official start of our summer!
For many it is ‘exam time’, which affects far more than just the students themselves(!), and is followed by a time of freedom and space. For others it is the month for the early-summer harvest of strawberries (watch out for the Strawberry Teas!), potatoes, beans, courgettes and salad leaves. Crops of carrots, garlic, peas, spinach, turnips and various herbs like parsley, join the ripening fruits such as cherries, gooseberries and raspberries, providing an amazing feast to enjoy. Longer days, blooming roses and warm sunshine can all bring ready smiles and a sense of wellbeing to the fore, and the full moon at the end of June (29th) is known as the ‘Strawberry Moon’ – less because of it’s reddish-pink colour, and more due to it coinciding with the ripening of wild strawberries.
Juno was the ancient Roman goddess of marriage and childbirth (the month of June is often a popular month for weddings), and the Latin word ‘juvenis’ (which means ‘young people’) also connects with this. June moves us into the delights of summer fun, with our youngsters at it’s heart. Now is the time to make plans, and to enjoy time together – young and old; time to take action, to enjoy the world we live in, and to enjoy each other. Jesus’ response to the presence of children was always one of enthusiasm – even when he was exhausted and could have been forgiven for sending them away, still he said: ‘Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14, New Century Version)
My dear friend in Australia keeps me connected to the full story – as we reach summer, so she enters their winter, as we bask in daylight, so they retreat into darkness. Our ever-turning world is one of constant change, and somehow we can only become truly whole when we engage with the full picture. It seems to me that this is where community is so important – community that begins local, and yet extends across the entire world. One of my greatest summer delights is the sharing of harvests that occurs – baskets of fruit or vegetables that appear along the roadside or at church or café that say ‘please help yourself’. Sharing what we have, and who we are, with each other grows our community. The same happens when those who are too busy, find support from those who feel they aren’t needed, and when those without family are valued by those whose family demands are overwhelming. May this summer be a time of true community for us all, a time of sharing what we have and who we are – near and far. And may it move us in the direction of recognising that we are all valuable beyond measure and deeply loved by the one who made us and delights in us!
God bless you.
Rev Chris
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