2026 promises to stir up an exciting new beginning in the life of our local parishes, not least at Hampton, Sedgeberrow and Hinton-on-the-Green.

Since Rev’ds Mark Binney and Andrew Spurr retired, there has been a pause for some careful and imaginative thinking about how the churches can be grouped together and staffed in the best way for the future.

In summary, the plan is as follows:
• The church of Norton & Lenchwick is to be grouped with Harvington and the ARCH benefice, overseen by their new rector, Rev’d Glenn Redding;
• Sedgeberrow and Hinton churches are joining the Broadway and Childswickham group, under the leadership of Rev’d Shellie Ward;
• All Saints’, Evesham and St. Andrew’s Hampton will join forces as one benefice, sharing resources and the oversight of a new priest. It has recently been announced that Rev’d Mike Edwards will be Curate-in-Charge whose appointment is soon to be confirmed (watch this space!).
• As you may know, St. Peter’s Bengeworth continues to go forward as a separate renewal project, but is also part of the ongoing informal ‘Group’ of churches known as Asum.

Working Together
Meanwhile, as these changes take place in the coming months, we are very glad to have a team of lay and ordained volunteer ministers who are generously committing themselves to sustain and develop the worship and outreach of our local churches.

In the Hampton network, this team has been strengthened in recent months by the licensing of Helen Black as a LLM (Reader) together with Guy Barnard, who has been a Reader for many years, now offering to serve amongst us with ‘Permission to Officiate (PTO)’.


A New Coffee Club
As part of the re-shaping and new collaboration outlined above, various possible developments have been emerging. One of these has already begun – a Coffee Club in Hampton ….

This has been started in partnership with Rev’d Shellie Ward and takes place at Hampton Farm Shop every Tuesday from 2pm to 3pm (and often over-runs!). It’s an informal time where anyone is welcome to join in a chat and meet people over a cup of coffee.
The Coffee Club has held an open air Harvest Service with St. Andrew’s School within the grounds and a Carol Service before Christmas. More events are to be organised in the future.

At last….
And finally, don’t hold your breath or uncross your legs yet, but the long-awaited vestry project at St. Andrew’s Hampton is coming to fruition. The new floor is down, and the WC and kitchen are taking shape. Watch this space for news of when these much-needed facilities are to be dedicated!

Nick Wright, Elaine Major and Helen Black