St. Bega'sEskdale

St. Catherine'sEskdale

St. Paul'sIrton

St. Michael'sMuncaster

St. John's, Waberthwaite

Benefice of Eskdale

Benefice Statement

1: Introduction

1: This Benefice Statement starts with an overview of the Benefice agreed by the four Parishes of Eskdale, Irton, Muncaster and Waberthwaite and is supplemented by individual parish descriptions.

2: Summary Description of the Benefice

2.1: The benefice, created in 1978, is part of the Calder Deanery in the Archdeaconry of West Cumberland and comprises the four parishes mentioned above. The benefice forms part of the area administered for purposes of local government by Copeland Borough Council and Cumbria County Council.

2.2: The map attached - see Annexe A - shows the geographic location of, and provides an indication of the area covered by and the distances involved in travel around, the Benefice.

2.3: The benefice is part of the Lake District National Park, entirely rural in nature and an area of unique and diverse natural beauty. It comprises the villages of Eskdale Green and Boot (Eskdale Parish), Ravenglass (Muncaster Parish) and Waberthwaite. Irton Parish (which also incorporates the hamlet of Santon) does not include a village.

2.4:The most recent available statistics (the 2011 National Census) provide the following details re population:

Parish PopulationEskdale 304Irton/Santon 316Muncaster 328Waberthwaite 230

There are currently 243 people registered on parish electoral rolls*.

2.5: There are five churches in the benefice: (a) St Catherine's, Boot;(b) St Bega's, Eskdale Green; (c) St Paul's, Irton:(d) St Michael and All Angels, Muncaster; and(e) St John's, Waberthwaite.

2.6: No other religious denominations have places of worship in the benefice.

2.7: There are two voluntary aided CofE. primary schools in the benefice; at Eskdale Green (currently 34 children on roll) and at Waberthwaite (currently 53 children on roll). Children living in the benefice also attend Gosforth CofE Primary School. For secondary schooling children travel outside the benefice, primarily to Egremont (Westlakes Academy), Millom (Millom School) or St Bees (St Bees School).

2.8: It is some two and a half years since the retirement of Rev. Anne Baker who had been in post, when she retired, for some 8 years. Anne’s retirement was followed by a lengthy interregnum culminating in the appointment of Brian Wheelhouse whose resignation, after a brief twelve month tenure as priest in charge, has left the benefice looking for a new vicar to guide us through what, we anticipate, may be a period of pastoral reorganization.

3: The Community, Traditions etc.

3.1: The communities in the benefice have a number of distinct components, including primarily: (a) families involved in agriculture; (b) families involved in hospitality/leisure pursuits businesses; (c) families connected with the nuclear industry at Sellafield; and (d) retirees.

3.2: There is a growing number of second and holiday homes (particularly in Eskdale and Ravenglass) which impacts on the number of homes available for potential full time residents. In common with other rural areas young adults who have grown up in the community tend to move away to take advantage of education and employment opportunities not available in the area or because of a shortage of affordable housing.

3.3: The Church has long been an integral and important part of the communities in all four parishes and has enjoyed the support of all sectors of the community. We believe that this reflects the way in which ministry in the benefice has been directed towards serving the needs (spiritual and practical) of individual members of the community. It is our aspiration to ensure that this remains the case for the future and that ministry in the benefice continues to focus on the community as a whole.

3.4: Our two CofE primary schools are key components in three of our communities and both schools have active links with the church. The vicar is an ex-officio governor of both schools.

3.5: Each parish has its own sponsored giving programme; for many years these have enjoyed widespread community support but we are conscious that fresh initiatives are required.

3.6: The benefice produces a comprehensive monthly parish magazine, which is delivered to all households, including holiday homes. The magazine keeps locals and visitors informed about the work of the church and local events. The benefice also runs its own website: www.eskdalebenefice.org.uk.

3.7: The current worship pattern (which is advertised in the Parish Magazine) is for each of Irton, Muncaster and Waberthwaite to have a Sunday service (usually Holy Communion) twice a month with a weekly Sunday service in Eskdale alternating between St Catherine's and St Bega's. In months where there is a fifth Sunday we hold a Benefice service. We expect to discuss the pattern of worship with the new vicar. Special services are held at festival times - especially Christmas and Easter. Additionally there is weekly communal worship at both schools and a monthly children's Eucharist service at St Bega's School.

3.8: The numbers and composition of regular congregations reflects the population profile of individual parishes. The benefice is essentially mainstream traditional, neither evangelical nor anglo-catholic, and (given the absence of places of worship for other denominations in the benefice) inclusive in its approach to worship.

3.9: Congregations are increased, particularly in holiday periods, by visitors many of whom return on a regular basis.

4: Needs

4.1: We see the vicar playing a central role in developing the profile of the church in all aspects of the life of our communities. He or she must be someone who is able to take the initiative as well as being a good communicator, a competent administrator and able to provide our PCCs and churchwardens with motivational leadership. We are active and hardworking and are looking for vitality and enthusiasm in whoever is appointed.

4.2: We hope that the new vicar will have the energy to cope with the varied challenges of this benefice and to build on the work of previous incumbents in all parts of the community, especially in our two schools and with our young people.

4.3: The benefice would welcome the appointment of an individual who will value the ways we express our faith both in services and in the community. Experience of rural life, whilst not essential, would be desirable but a willingness to understand and adapt to rural values and priorities is vital; as is the ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout the benefice.