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| Pastoral Areas - and how they were decided |
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1 It has been said for some time that the present Deanery of the Vale of the White Horse covers too large an area, running from Wallingford across to Buckland & Faringdon. This Pastoral Area includes the western portion of the Deanery as well as Lambourn & Hungerford. It is easy to see how Lambourn should fit with Wantage and this quite rural part of the diocese is made up of a number of villages, many linked to horse racing. Hungerford has a bond with Lambourn that parishioners do not wish to see broken. Lambourn & Hungerford have, for the past year, been served from Wantage with the help of a regular weekend supply priest. There is a celebration of Mass at the Royal Military College, Shrivenham, where a Military Chaplain is based but responsibility for civilians in the area has rested with Wantage for the last two years. This Pastoral Area has four churches where Sunday Mass is celebrated and covers a considerable expanse of countryside, bordered by the Diocese of Birmingham to the north and Clifton to the west. |
2 Four of these five parishes border the Diocese of Birmingham and so there was general agreement about the shape of this Pastoral Area. However, a question was raised over whether East Hendred (with East Ilsley where there is a Mass Centre) should be included or be part of the Pastoral Area with Wantage. For the last three years East Hendred has been served from Abingdon and the general opinion was to keep this link. A strong argument in support of including East Hendred was the need to take account of what is manageable for Wantage, Buckland & Faringdon. To include East Hendred & East Ilsley with Wantage, Buckland & Faringdon would make it impossible to include Lambourn & Hungerford. This Pastoral Area is growing in terms of population: Didcot is forecast to see significant growth in the Plan for Oxfordshire. It is also a fact that there are parishioners who are attracted to the variety of worship available in Oxford and so people do travel across the river whenever they choose. There is already considerable mobility in an Area such as this. |
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3 The two Newbury parishes together with Thatcham form the geographical core of the present Kennet Valley Deanery. Woolhampton Parish comprises four centres where Sunday Mass is celebrated and is served by the Benedictine Community at Douai Abbey. In the feedback, suggestion was made that two of those Mass Centres (Burghfield and Theale) could be included in a Pastoral Area with Reading. However, because all four are served from Douai, the decision is to keep the whole of Woolhampton Parish in a Pastoral Area with Newbury and Thatcham. These parishes already have established links within a Deanery. Other comments were received arguing for the inclusion of Hungerford in this Pastoral Area. Whilst acknowledging the natural connection between Hungerford and Newbury, the people of Lambourn and Hungerford expressed clearly in 2005 their desire to keep those two communities together. For this reason, both Lambourn and Hungerford have been included in the Pastoral Area with Wantage, Buckland and Faringdon. |
4 The feedback from parishes in the present Reading Deanery considered three possibilities: that communities in Reading be grouped in one, two, or three Pastoral Areas. There appeared to be support for each option although the comment was made by a number of people that, whichever was chosen, it should be workable. The suggestion in the Discussion Document was for one Pastoral Area to cover the whole town. However, the decision is to form two Pastoral Areas now but with the encouragement for these two Areas to work towards the point when they become one Pastoral Area. St James & St William of York were joined a number of years ago and it makes no sense to divide them now. Historically the founding of churches moving out from St James in the centre provided English Martyrs Church and then, later, St Joseph in Tilehurst. There are primary schools in St Joseph's and English Martyrs Parishes. Reading has always been an attractive town for people from overseas and in recent years that inflow has increased leading to a diverse Catholic population. Students at the University also come from many nations. |
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5 The view was expressed strongly that Woodley belongs with Reading and, especially, that it made sense to keep Woodley and Earley in the same Pastoral Area. The people of Twyford & Wargrave were definite that they felt their parish should be included with Woodley. If Reading was to be one Pastoral Area with immediate effect then this would have created a very large Area. However, with the decision to begin with two, both are viable and sustainable. Clearly there will be pastoral concerns on which the two Pastoral Areas should cooperate from the outset, such as support for the Hospital Chaplain and links with Hugh Faringdon Secondary School. The decision to form two Pastoral Areas for Reading, with the goal of them growing towards becoming one, takes into account the view which a number of priests and people expressed that moving from what exists now directly to one large Pastoral Area was too big a step to take now but that, with time, it was a possibility. This fits with what was also being said in Southampton and Bournemouth. |
6 The shape of this Pastoral Area consists of the eastern parts of the North East Berkshire Deanery, formed in recent years with the addition of Ascot. The area has strong links through being part of the same Unitary Authority and, apart from Ascot, administered by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, with the main council offices based in Maidenhead. The Maidenhead and Windsor communities have already formed strongly developed ties through their deanery links and have worked collaboratively over a number of recent projects. Windsor and Ascot are naturally linked, albeit with Windsor Great Park between them, with Windsor equidistant between Ascot and Maidenhead. The communities share the same hospitals and hospices. Communication links are reasonable, with Maidenhead (together with Slough) seen as one of the natural centres for civic jurisdiction, shopping and entertainment. Although much of the building and growth in this part of the M4 Corridor has been completed, it is still likely that this Pastoral Area will see some expansion in terms of homes and businesses. There are several primary schools, but no shared Secondary school across the area. |
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7 The shape of this Pastoral Area is made up of most of the existing South Berks Deanery, with the exception of Ascot. This reflects the strength of the view that most of the communities would naturally be drawn together geographically. Bracknell has expanded rapidly and has tended to draw in younger families - a feature of many towns in the Thames Valley. The area has excellent communication links connecting the different communities. The communities have already developed working relationships and working practices in their relationship within the Deanery. There are several primary schools but no shared Secondary school across the area. |
The shape of this Pastoral Area incorporates the existing Aldershot Deanery, with the addition of Hartley Wintney, which was historically served by Fleet. As a deanery there is a longstanding tradition of working collaboratively on joint projects between the communities. The area is characterised by a mixture of two larger conurbations, together with village-based communities. They work with two local authorities, Rushmoor (Farnborough and Aldershot) and Hart (Fleet, Church Crookham, Hartley Wintney and Yateley). Hampshire Local Education Authority administers all the primary schools in the Pastoral Area from their office in Fleet and the diocesan secondary school, All Hallows, in Farnham, draws young people from across the area. The area is well resourced with generally good transport links, though, in the case of buses, with a reduced service on Sundays. It has been noted that there is likely to be a housing development expansion in Rushmoor Borough in the future, which might impact on present population figures. |
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9 The shape of this Pastoral Area has incorporated a significant part of the existing Basingstoke Deanery, with the addition of Andover and the movement of Hartley Wintney to Aldershot, with whom there have been historical links in the past. Many of the communities have a history of working together and have developed good working practices with involvement in joint projects. There are good transport links from all communities to and from Basingstoke, which is seen as a natural focal point for North Hampshire. Many people use the shopping and leisure facilities available in Basingstoke and all the primary schools feed into the diocesan secondary school, Bishop Challoner. The inclusion of Andover & Whitchurch in this Pastoral Area comes in response to the feedback received which highlighted the road links and similarities between Basingstoke and Andover. It was also to take into account the observation about the size of the Winchester Pastoral Area and the number of clergy serving each Area. |
10 The shape of this Pastoral Area reflects the existing Alton Deanery, which has developed and worked together over several years. The East Hampshire district council administrative boundary matches very closely with the area. Alton College is the local sixth form college, serving all young people across the communities, including Petersfield and people move freely within the area for schools, sports and other leisure activities. The rural make-up of this part of East Hampshire, by its very nature, does present intrinsic transport issues, which are unlikely to change significantly in the immediate future. It has been noted that there is likely to be an expansion in housing development in the future, particularly in Bordon, which might impact on present population figures. |
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11 The Discussion Document suggestion was for a Pastoral Area consisting of Alresford, Andover and Winchester. Alresford and Winchester have been linked for a number of years. Much of the feedback received expressed great concern about the geographical size of this area, the large Mass-going population and the inequitable ratio of priests to Mass attenders when compared with other areas of the diocese. Many observed that whereas the northern parts of the existing Andover parish (Andover and Whitchurch) look naturally to Basingstoke in terms of transport links and secondary education, those in the Stockbridge area look to Winchester. Whilst on a map this Area still covers a large swathe of central Hampshire, considerable parts are rural with sparse population. The intention would be to increase by at least one from the present the number of priests serving this Pastoral Area. |
12 This is likely to be an area that sees growth in terms of population. As parishes facing similar challenges arising from this planned growth, the opportunity to develop a united pastoral strategy to address the challenges is a reason strongly suggestive of the shape of this Pastoral Area. These parishes have all previously been part of the Winchester deanery. A number of years ago the parishes of Eastleigh and Chandlers Ford began to work together more closely and are served by one priest. For many years the parish of Romsey & North Baddesley has been served by the Montfort Missionaries but this is about to change and a new church will be needed. |
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13 There was strong consensus in the feedback that these parishes, which form the existing Havant deanery, should form the new Pastoral Area. The Area has the sea as its southern boundary, and the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton to the east. It was felt that the addition of Cosham & Paulsgrove (as in the Discussion Documents) would make the Area too large and this fits with the view from the Portsmouth Pastoral Area that Cosham & Paulsgrove should remain there. The point about the current size of this Pastoral Area is reinforced with the knowledge that proposals in the South Hants Building Plan would see a significant increase in the number of homes in this part of the diocese. The primary schools in the area feed into the secondary school at Waterlooville. |
The shape of this Pastoral Area is the same as the existing Deanery of Portsmouth. As such, it recognises the close working relationships and shared projects within the Deanery of Portsmouth which have developed over a number of years. The communities in Cosham and Paulsgrove grew up after evacuations from Portsmouth during World War II and feel part of Portsmouth, seeing Portsdown Hill as a natural boundary. Public transport, both rail and bus, is centred on the city of Portsmouth, and there are good links with Cosham and Paulsgrove. The Pastoral Area is coterminous with the area covered by Portsmouth Unitary Authority, and acknowledges the strong links between schools in the Area - St Paul's School is part of Portsmouth LEA, and is a feeder school for St Edmund's Secondary School. |
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15 The shape of this Pastoral Area is the same as the existing Deanery of Fareham, which grew from the original worshipping communities of Gosport (Lee-on-the-Solent, Stubbington, Bridgemary) and Fareham (Park Gate and Portchester), and works with two Local Authorities (Fareham and Gosport). Links and shared activities between parishes in the in the Deanery have developed positively in recent years and the decision to include Park Gate in this Area has come as a result of the many comments that this would respect the links which have been developed. The Royal Navy still has a considerable presence in this part of the diocese both in terms of activity and numbers of personnel. There are strong and effective ecumenical relationships. The River Hamble, the Solent and Portsmouth Harbour form natural boundaries to the Area. |
16 Much of the feedback in respect of Southampton expressed the view that, at least initially, a single Pastoral Area for the City would be too large and unwieldy to work effectively. This reflects the current practice of dividing the deanery into sub-deaneries. The eastern part of the City has a distinct identity and the River Hamble provides a sensible natural eastern boundary and although the River Itchen might seem an obvious western boundary, it was felt that for the Pastoral Area to be pastorally viable it would be necessary for it to comprise a slightly larger area with greater resources. The addition of the parish of the Immaculate Conception, Portswood, ensures that this area can function well and not be constrained by inadequate resources. It may well be that as Pastoral Areas develop, the two areas covering the City of Southampton come to share common plans and resources for pastoral activity and that, should this be the case, a gradual coming together of the two areas becomes desirable. |
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17 Since there appeared to be a widespread concern that Southampton was simply too large to function effectively as a single unit - a fact currently recognised by the division of the deanery into sub-deaneries - the central and western parts of the City provide an appropriate Pastoral Area, alongside that covering the eastern part. The centre and west of Southampton already operate closely together and share some common pastoral activity. Again it is hoped that as this Area grows together as a Pastoral Area, in time it may prove possible for a greater co-operation with the other Pastoral Area in the City of Southampton. |
The parishes of Totton and Waterside already share some common sacramental programmes and have, for several years, been part of the western sub-deanery of Southampton. A few suggestions were received which put Totton in the Pastoral Area covering central and west Southampton and Waterside in the New Forest. However, many more argued that the causeway between Totton and Redbridge was a barrier to the former and that the largely urban character of Waterside and the difficulties of cross-forest travel made the latter unworkable, at least in the early stages of the establishment of Pastoral Areas. Accordingly, it was felt that, initially, Totton and Wateride would most effectively form a single Pastoral Area and that the question of its viability as a single area should remain under review. |
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19 The feedback from this area was very heavy and suggested a strong consensus in favour of this grouping of parishes. The New Forest parishes of Brockenhurst, Lymington and Lyndhurst currently share a Parish Priest and have, over the last couple of years begun to work closely with one another, as have the parishes of Milford on Sea and New Milton. Additionally, there has been longstanding pastoral co-operation between the parish priests of these two areas and the Primary School at Pennington serves the whole area. The parishes comprising this Pastoral Area are largely rural and the difficulties of travel across the New Forest, especially in the summer months, mean that any other grouping would appear, at least initially, to be problematic. |
The question of whether Bournemouth should be one or two pastoral areas exercised many who provided feedback. Furthermore the transport links and remoteness of Fordingbridge and Ringwood provided material for many responses. The effects of the diocesan boundaries in this area were recognised as creating particular issues. The distinct identity of Christchurch and Highcliffe was also a matter for some reflection. On balance, it seems appropriate to create a Pastoral Area which is neither too large (as would be a single area for the whole of Bournemouth), nor one in which the differing characteristics and situations of some of the parishes would be swamped. It may well be appropriate, in time, for close working relationships to be established with the Pastoral Area in the centre and west of Bournemouth and it is recognised that the shared interest in St Peter's School may well be the catalyst for this, as may the position of the Hospital. |
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If Bournemouth is not to be a single Pastoral Area, and the feedback from the consultation was strongly suggestive of avoiding such an arrangement, at least in the early days of the establishment of Pastoral Areas, then the parishes in the centre and west of the City would appear to be a natural grouping. The diocesan boundary with the Plymouth Diocese forms the western border of the Pastoral Area but it is recognised that this is less of a boundary to people than it is on paper. The parishes of this Pastoral Area already have a high level of co-operation and common pastoral activity. They naturally focus around the centre of Bournemouth and Boscombe and it is to be hoped that there may be increased opportunities for working closely with the neighbouring Pastoral Area as time goes on. The position of St Peter's School and the Hospital should encourage this. |
22 Although a small number of responses suggested two pastoral areas for the Isle of Wight, the overwhelming view was that the Island should form one Pastoral Area. Over the last few years, a significant amount of work has already been done in increasing pastoral cooperation across the Island. The Isle of Wight faces particular challenges in attracting Catholic staff for its schools, especially in leadership roles, as there are a number of primary schools and one Middle School on the island. Newport lies nearer the centre and provides a natural focus with Ryde and other towns positioned around the edge of the island. |
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These islands are united by common legal and constitutional arrangement and form a natural unit. In recent years the worshipping communities in Guernsey have been organised as a single pastoral unit. Although a few representation were received suggesting that all the Channel Islands should form a single pastoral area, the distinctive cultures and histories, together with geographical and logistical reasons, confirmed the need for separate Pastoral Areas. There remain obvious difficulties in linking Guernsey and Alderney given the natural break between them. However, there will be areas of pastoral activity on both islands where the benefits of cooperation and joint planning can be drawn upon. |
24 The Island of Jersey has a unique history in the sense that communities there were served for many years by a number of religious clergy. In the mid 1990s there was a Pastoral Review of the Island and many of the developments since then have been guided by the plan that was produced, which envisaged what we are now seeing as a Pastoral Area. An example of the way in which Jersey already operates in a unified manner is through the Jersey Pastoral Services. In planning the action of this Pastoral Area, consideration is given to the needs of 10000 Portuguese and 4000 Poles who live and work there. Serving their particular needs is a challenge in terms of pastoral care and finding ways to include them in the mission of the Church. A considerable amount of reorganisation has already taken place on Jersey in recent years and the island is, in effect, already operating as a Pastoral Area. |