Oldbury Benefice

A message from our Rector

Becoming a Christian is always a free choice and nobody can ever be pushed into it. Being a Christian is about believing in the Easter message. Easter isn't about cute bunny rabbits and chocolate chicks. It's far better than that. Easter isn't about the greening of the earth and newly born animals. It's far better than that. Easter is the commemoration of a Cosmic battle that took place in our world between the powers of good and evil, and Jesus won the battle.
.. . Read all of his message.....
Calstone Yatesbury Heddington Cherhill Compton Bassett

Our Benefice Vision

Our Vision is of five united and interdependent Christian communities working together to grow the Church in the Oldbury Benefice.

It will be a Church which is caring and welcoming, following the life and teachings of Jesus.

It will be responsive to the needs and aspirations of our community.

It will be a Church that will thrive and grow as people acknowledge its importance in their lives.

 

The Oldbury Community Chest

The Oldbury Community Chest is a discretionary fund to help folk in need throughout our five parishes. Some circumstances arise out of unforeseen crises, others are less serious. People have received a small gift or a bunch of flowers for the birth of a new baby or surgery, whilst others have received such things as a new bed to help cope with a disability.

If you know of a person or situation that might be in need of support, or indeed if you wish to contribute to the chest please have a word with Philip.

New Years Lamb
Leg of Lamb The Benefice flock has for sale some fine offerings for the New Year. More..
Country Ways
Heddington Church
Manor Cottager Studios
Max Colbourne
Dove Cottage
Hungry Lab
Divine
Raw Tuna

Heddington

Heddington parish adjoins that of Calne Without and is approx three miles south of Calne. The parish boundary on the north side follows the Roman road from London to Bath and along the south side it follows, at least in part, the old London to Bath coach road which split from the London to Bristol coach road at Beckhampton, in use until the 18th century. The west end of the village was part of Chippenham forest until 1330 and was part of the large royal Calne estate until about the time of the Norman invasion in 1066. In the middle ages the village had a church, a rectory house and two larger farmsteads and several smaller ones within the parish boundaries. Today it is host to the Heddington & Stockley Steam Fair annually.

The Church

St Andrew's church is first mentioned in 1130 when it was given to Farliegh priory. The advowson belonged to the priory then until 1536 when it passed to the Crown on the dissolution of the priory. The church was rebuilt in the 13th sentury and the double chamfered arches and circular piers of the south arcade were added. The north aisle, which has an arcade with octagonal piers was added in the 14th century and the tower and porch were added in the 15th century. The church was dedicated to St Andrew in 1491. The church was greatly altered in the 17th century adding bigger windows and altering and enlarging the chancel arch. The church had much silverware although some was confiscated in 1553 but a burglary in 1973 meant that silverware dating back to the early 1700's was lost. Futher silverware was sold in 1976 to pay for the re-roofing in that year. There are six bells hanging in the tower and the earliest dates back to 1553. The five there at the time were re-hung in 1939 and the sixth was added in 1953.