St Peter’s Church Long Bredy
The parish of St Peter, Long Bredy is one of the five constituent parishes of the Bride Valley Benefice which is served by a ministry team that includes both ordained and lay members.
Services
There are normally two services a month – Holy Communion is celebrated at 11 am. on the first Sunday of the month and an all-age worship service is held at 9.30 am., (with refreshments after), on the third Sunday. If there is a fifth Sunday in the month all the churches of the valley unite for a service at one of the churches and at Christmas and Easter there usually extra services. All are welcome to join us at any of these services. Please see the Bride Valley News to confirm the venues and/or service times.
Living Churchyard
The churchyard is maintained in a way that provides optimum growing conditions for wild flowers.
The St Peter’s Visitors’ Book
Sitting in the church browsing through the visitors’ book gives an interesting perspective on the role of the church and how it is appreciated by a far wider audience than the regular congregation and residents of Long Bredy.
During 2015, there were at least 53 visitors to the church -not including relatives and friends who came for particular services – coming from far and near. Addresses ranged from Swyre to Sussex; in 2014 there were also visitors from Canberra, The Netherlands and Western Australia.
The written comments reveal why these visitors enjoyed and valued their visit to St Peter’s. People came to search out family graves, see the church where they were christened or because they have relatives who lived in the village and they wished to re-connect with their past.
Walkers paused here:” What a gem of a discovery on a circular walk” wrote someone. A cyclist stopped and reflected on the past life of the village, with the school and school-house next to the church. Many visitors commented on the peacefulness and beauty of the setting – the spring flowers lining the lane and churchyard make the natural surroundings even more beautiful at the moment.
People were surprised and appreciative that the church was open, commenting on it being well-kept and also that it had a peal of bells which they were able to listen to and enjoy. One entry recorded a visit made to the church and village to pay respects to Julian Gribble, VC; another group of visitors wrote “Just visiting – we filled the church with our singing and joy.”
So, when funds are raised to support the maintenance of the church and there are flower arrangements in the weeks when there are no services, they help to preserve and beautify a building which is enjoyed for a host of reasons both by local visitors and those from far beyond the Bride Valley.
Safeguarding
St Peter’s Church takes its responsibilities surrounding the Safeguarding of children, young people and adults who may be a risk, very seriously. We work in partnership with the Diocese of Salisbury to ensure that we work in accordance with best practice at all times.
Our Parish Safeguarding Policy can be located in the Church, or you can request a copy from: enquiries@Salisbury.angelican.org
If you have any safeguarding questions or concerns, please contact the Parish Safeguarding officers:
Jackie Cain – 01308 482379
Ruth Cullingford – 01308 482562
Alternatively, you can contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor on 07500 664800, or email enquiries@Salisbury.angelican.org
Data Protection Act
In common with most other churches, St Peter’s Long Bredy keeps pastoral records of the names, addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addreses of regular worshippers and friends.
These records are used for church purposes only and are never communicated to any other parties.
The information is held in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
Please notify us in writing if you do not wish your data to be held by us in this way.