ST ANDREW'S, HOLME HALE   Building    Congregation

Holme Hale is a rural village surrounded by arable farmland. It lies just south of the A47 which is the main east/west trunk route in Norfolk, and is some six miles east of the market town of Swaffham. The village has a population of about 400, occupying some 200 houses. It is a mixed community of all ages, although – as is now common in Norfolk – there is a significant retired element. Holme Hale is not designated for development and house building is restricted to replacement and infill.

The village has neither shop, nor school, nor pub, but there is a mornings-only post office in a private house. Most people use the schooling, shopping and medical facilities in Necton, or travel to Swaffham or Watton. The large village hall, known as the Pavilion, is sited next to a playing field and children’s play area on the edge of the village and is well used. Activities include a thriving branch of the U3A, which draws members from the surrounding area as well as the village; an art group; occasional bingo and quiz nights; a Brownies troop; and carpet bowls. There is also a women’s group that meets monthly in a private house. The Pavilion and Playing Fields Committee produces a quarterly newsletter – the ‘Moonraker’.

The Church Building

The church is medieval and Grade 1 listed. The origins of what is now Holme Hale church are uncertain. Reference is made to its construction having ‘commenced in the reign of Richard III’ (1438-85), and also to ‘the erection of the new church about 1430’. The tower is reported as being built ‘about 1431-35’. Yet the church contains some Norman features, and the earliest recorded rector is Adam Talebot in 1317.

What is more certain is that Hale church, as it then was, was consolidated in about 1470 with the neighbouring – and older – church of Holm, when the two lordships were combined in about 1375, following the ravages of the black death, the tenures of both then being held by the Illey family.

The church is a building of flint and freestone in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles. It consists of a small chancel, lofty nave, north aisle and porch, and a massive square western embattled tower, the latter containing six bells dating from 1652 to 1746, which are in regular use.

There are a number of unique features. The hammerbeam roof has large effigies of angels or priests hovering over the nave. The carved oak rood screen is particularly fine and contains two mouchette wheels filled with intricate tracery. The old pews in the north aisle have curious and quaint carved elbows, comprising both human and animal figures. All the human figures are defaced, suggesting that the pew ends are pre-Reformation.

The registers date from 1538, the oldest being of parchment. The earliest are in old English, being replaced by Latin in 1545.

A small kitchen and toilet were built into the base of the tower a few years ago.

The village war memorial, commemorating those who lost their lives in the two world wars, is in the churchyard, adjacent to the main door. The churchyard is still used for burials and has a capacity for some years' use.

The church and churchyard are well maintained and cared for. The church naturally has work outstanding from the last quinquennial inspection in March 2002, but the building is essentially secure against wind and weather. A conservator is carrying out a survey of the painted east wall in the sanctuary, with financial assistance from the Council for the Care of Churches.

The church is host to a colony of bats, and has been so for many years. The problem has now reached unacceptable proportions and the PCC is actively seeking a solution within the terms of current legislation.

There are presently 30 names on the church electoral roll, with an average weekly church attendance of about 17. We do not at present have any young people or children regularly attending church, as most church-going families tend to use Necton. This may be due to the close proximity of the two schools to Necton church, which is naturally used for relevant occasions, including Education Sunday. Much the same applies to prayer and fellowship groups.

There are eight lay members on our PCC, including a vice-chairman, two churchwardens (one of whom represents us on the deanery synod), a diocesan synod member, a Reader, a treasurer/secretary, a fabric secretary, and a child protection secretary who is also our organist. We normally meet six times a year, usually in the afternoon in a private house. The rector, churchwardens and two elected members are also trustees of the Town Lands Trust: two small funds dedicated respectively to church repairs and relief-in-need.

A service is held in the church every Sunday morning at 11.15am. In a four-Sunday month, these are Morning Prayer on the first and third Sundays, and Morning Prayer followed by a short service of Holy Communion in the chancel on the second and fourth Sundays. In a five-Sunday month, a full service of Holy Communion is held on the fourth Sunday, with Morning Prayer on the fifth. All these services are from the Book of Common Prayer. Special services are held at Easter, for our summer festival, for harvest, on Remembrance Sunday, and for our carol service. The midnight Christmas service is held in Necton church. Baptisms – which do not happen often – are usually held during a normal morning service. Our programme of weekly services gratefully depends on help from retired clergy, Readers and occasional visiting clergy. A member of our PCC is able to lead worship and assist with Holy Communion.

We have service sheets for Morning Prayer, Holy Communion and special services. Hymns are chosen from Mission Praise, Anglican Hymn book and our own hymn book. Pew News leaflets are shared with Necton and ‘Link’, which is also shared with Necton, is delivered to every home ten times a year. There are bibles in each pew.

Finances are in a reasonably sound position. Income – excluding grants, legacies and loans – has averaged about £11,000 pa over the last nine years. There has, however, been a gradual decline in our capital over the same period, to some £16,500 at the start of this year. This decline has been particularly marked in the past few years, when we have undertaken repairs from within our own resources. We are presently considering a more substantial programme, including re-leading the tower roof, for which we shall have to seek help from English Heritage.

Our parish share this year is £7,647. We hope to maintain our past record and meet it in full. Electoral roll members use weekly giving envelopes, and we are fortunate to have 18 ongoing Gift Aid declarations. Our main fund raising comes from an annual summer festival, paper and bottle banks located in the village, and an annual Gift Day, together with occasional concerts and sales. We make regular donations to The Norfolk Churches Trust, The Historic Churches Preservation Trust, The Earl Haig Fund, The Diocesan Ringers’ Association, St Luke’s Hospital and The Church of England Children’s Society; and to Tear Fund when the occasion arises.

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