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.
14th May, Ascension Day
Thursday 14th May is Ascension Day – the day we celebrate Jesus’ being taken up into heaven. We mark this in our benefice with a special service, usually followed by a fish and chip supper together at St Peter & All Hallows Church, West Huntspill.
From Ascension Day to Pentecost we are encouraged to take part in ‘TKC – Thy Kingdom Come. This is 11 days of prayer, focussing especially on praying for 5 people we know, that they might come to know Jesus, and experience God’s love and care.
TKC – Thy Kingdom Come is the central request in the Lord’s Prayer, the longing of our hearts – that God’s Kingdom would come, that things would truly be as God created them to be.
To help us in this there are Bible readings and special thoughts, prepared for each of the 9 days between Ascension Day and Pentecost, written by the Archbishop of Canterbury – Sarah Mulally…
you can access them here
There is also a children’s song about the Lord’s Prayer, encouraging us to pray it each and every day, and to truly engage with it, with others in mind.
May this special time draw you closer to our Lord, and enable you to share your faith in love.
First Thursday of the month Prayer Club, East Huntspill
Starting Thursday 7th May
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
Thursday 14th May Tea and Talk, Huntspill Hub West Huntspill
Tea and Talk
The Huntspill Hub, St Peter sand All Hallows Church, West Huntspill
BBC Radio Days by John Burgess
Thursday 14th May 2.30pm
£4 entry
Sunday 31st May Car Treasure Hunt, East Huntspill
Join us as we search the local area for answers to some fun clues.
£7 per car
So get your team together and come along for some good Family Fun!
2pm start from East Huntspill Church Hall
For more information email allsaintscommunitygroup@outlook.com
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
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
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.
Rev Margaret, thank you for all your help and support, we wish you well with the next stage of your journey.
Reverend Margaret Hayward retired as Associate Priest to The Benefice of The Huntspills and Mark at the end of 2025.
At Rev Margaret’s last Benefice Service, at All Saints Church, East Huntspill, on behalf of the Benefice Kelton Black presented Rev Margaret with flowers and a card from all three Churches. Kelton thanked her for all of her help, support and guidance during 2025, especially during the summer when Rev Chris was away from Parish duties.
Rev Margaret is taking on a new role as a Priest with Permission to Officiate in the Axbridge Deanery, which means that she will be able to take services in any of the Axbridge Deanery Churches – providing cover and support.
We will miss Rev Margaret but hope that she will be back in the near future taking a service at one of the Benefice Churches.
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
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
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,
May 2026 ‘Life-giving Prayer’
I wonder when you first prayed? And what you prayed? For many of us, The Lord’s Prayer was an initial step, and has remained the basis of our prayers. When his disciples were puzzled about prayer, Jesus made it as simple as breathing and gave them this prayer as a model to use. I come across many people who say they want to stick to the original version of this prayer…..so here goes:
Jesus first spoke this prayer in Aramaic (far left), and it’s transliteration is given beside it. Usually ‘original version’ means ‘the version I first learned’, and most commonly this is ‘Our Father, Who art in Heaven….’, though the more modern version ‘Our Father in Heaven….’ dates from the 1970s and 80s, so is already half-a century old! It seems to me that the particular version is far less important than its meaning, and I love it when we pray the Lord’s Prayer in many different versions and languages simultaneously! The Bishop of Bath & Wells has asked us to focus on prayer through 2026, and especially on The Lord’s Prayer. In both of our churches there are Prayer Stations to help us do this – available throughout the week, so please do make good use of them.
The month of May brings together two essential calls to pray, and reminds us that prayer is not simply about asking God to change the world, but is as much about asking God to change us!
From 10th to 16th May we mark Christian Aid Week – a time to focus on the needs of people across the world and, at least in part, to seek to be the answer to our prayers. Food insecurity, over-crowding and climate change are all major challenges in Nairobi, but effective urban farming, despite limited water supply and the tiny spaces available, is making a huge impact. Whether making a donation or taking part in fundraising, every little bit counts – and we are encouraged to play our part and do all that we can to help.
Overlapping this, from 15th to 23rd May, between Ascension Day and Pentecost, are the nine days known as ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. This is when more than a million Christians, in nearly 90% of countries world wide, across 85 different denominations and traditions, unite in praying The Lord’s Prayer, and asking that God’s Spirit be with us and transform us into people who will make the changes we want to see in the world. Will you join in? Dare you pray the Lord’s Prayer, and be open to the changes it may bring?
Prayer does not need to be complicated – from the starting point of ‘O God!’, it is about being open and honest, and trusting the one who knows us and loves us more than we can ever imagine! Do check out the Christian Aid and TKC websites Novena PDF and make room for the life-giving practice of praying The Lord’s Prayer.
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