Clatworthy lies in the north of the Benefice. The Parish population is about 100 of whom about 30 live in the village itself, with the remainder spread over scattered properties, including a number of livestock farms. Dominating the landscape is the Wessex Water-owned reservoir covering some 130 acres, providing a 5-mile circular walk, and fly-fishing for trout.
Services and outreach
There is no electricity in St. Mary Magdalene, so worship takes place by candlelight during the winter. Some background warmth comes from three gas heaters, but wrap up warm! The number of regular worshippers is small, but embraces all flavours of Christianity from Catholics to Evangelicals – and the services reflect this diversity with something for everyone. There are twice monthly services on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, with an average congregation between 7 and 10. At festivals, the number can rise to 20 or 30+. We rarely have weddings or baptisms, but the funerals of locals continue are invariably very well-attended – an indication of the strong sense of neighbourliness present in this farming parish deep in the countryside.
Events and fundraising
We run a number of fundraising and social events, including a Harvest Supper, cream teas and a Spring Market. These events are held in the Village Hall where the friendly and relaxed atmosphere attracts both Clatworthy parishioners and others from neighbouring villages. People see the church as an important part of the local community, and their practical help in keeping the churchyard tidy is invaluable. We have a powerful combination of ages, educational backgrounds, practical skills and expert knowledge available within the Parish, and the way in which everyone from farmers to barristers, from ex-military to NHS staff, and from business people to retired clergy work together on projects and events of all sorts is a real source of strength within our community. Although the regular worshipping congregation may be small, our whole community – active, passive and non-believers alike – recognises the value of the church and both supports our events and helps maintain the churchyard.
Church building and village hall
The Parish church of St Mary Magdalene lies in the centre of the village. The church building is of local stone and dates from the 12th century. There is some fine stained glass, notably behind the altar. The four bells date from the 16th and 17th centuries, and while there are (currently) no local bell ringers, they are rung by visiting teams of campanologists which keeps them active. The bells are said to be the most difficult to ring in the Benefice.
The Village Hall, bought from the Diocese by the villagers in the 1980s, is also in the centre of the village and is used for church events as well as for village functions.