St Martin's Church, Broadmayne

The ancient 13th century church building stands in Main Street in the old part of the village. For many weeks in the spring of 1999, the tower was surrounded by scaffolding, but this was removed at Easter to reveal a restored and re-pointed stone building which should stand for generations to come. Steps have been taken to prevent pigeons from nesting on the narrow ledges of the tower where many eggs have rolled from the flimsy nests, bespattering the church entrance!

At the beginning of the year we had no-one living in the Rectory, the last Rector having retired in July 1998, but in April the Rev Dr Jean Coates was welcomed as Priest-in-Charge of the five small churches which make up the United Benefice. She is assisted in her work by a non-stipendiary priest, the Rev Dick Douglas, three Lay Readers (none of whom live in Broadmayne) and by six Lay Pastoral Assistants.

The St Martin’s Electoral Roll has ninety eight names on it and this year the churchwardens are Richard Sutton and Sylvia Dooley. The churchwardens, thirteen church members and two Deanery Synod representatives make up the Parochial Church Council and they retire in rotation – wardens normally after four years and PCC members after three. They all serve on one of three sub-committees – Finance and Fabric, Church Worship, or Mission and Fellowship, and all are actively involved in the life of the Church. But of course they are not the only ones. There are children’s leaders for groups catering for 3 year olds to teenagers. Scramblers and Climbers (three to five and five to eight years) are led by Gill Pratt and Carol Wightman, Explorers (eight to twelve years) by Sue Pratt and Pathfinders (over twelves) by Steve Stubbing, with several young helpers. A popular women’s group, St Martin’s Circle, meets monthly under Freddie Booker and two Bible study/discussion groups meet fortnightly under Ben and Carol Wightman and Freddie Booker.

We do not have our own church choir. Several years ago the Bowhawk Choir was established. It sings in all the churches, none of which is big enough to support its own individual choir. (The name Bowhawk is simply the initial letters of the five churches, and the choir includes ladies and children from all five.)

This year has seen the dedication in April of an extension to the graveyard. The ‘new’ graveyard (late 19th Century) was declared full, and the first burial in the extension took place in the summer. The really old graveyard round the church building is carefully tended so as to leave ‘wild’ areas where all sorts of wild life, flowers and butterflies thrive.

The parish magazine – ‘Compass’ – continues to be a popular publication. Over 700 copies are printed monthly for 20p a copy. As well as church news it carries reports, announcements of the many village activities and fifty advertisements.

During the year we shall enjoy several ‘events’ organised by the Mission & Fellowship committee. They include a Harvest Supper, a carol sing-along and carol singing around the village. We have supported various charities including Christian Aid and Dorset Historic Churches Trust by house-to-house collection, coffee mornings and sponsored cycle-rides/walks.

For several hundred years the Church in Broadmayne has worshipped and witnessed to the Christian faith and has shared with villagers the most joyful and the saddest occasions in their lives. May it continue to welcome and be available to all for many years to come.

Margaret Mortimer, August 1999

St. Martin's Circle
Broadmayne Church Flower Guild
Scramblers and climbers
Explorers
Pathfinders