Andrew Salt
With New Year resolutions all done with for another year, now could be the perfect time to start a community choir!
But where to start? What should you know before taking on this venture?
The Revd Dwayne Engh, Ordained Ministries Development Officer for the Diocese of Derby, has the answers and is sharing his knowledge in his book “Starting a Community Choir: Using Music in Outreach and Mission” which has been published by Grove Publishing.
Dwayne has been blessed to work around the world as a composer, conductor, percussionist, and educator.
The book covers both practical steps to take and some theological underpinnings of using music as an evangelistic outreach tool.
Throughout our history, the church has used the potential of music and art to be propositional, conveying both theological and devotional meaning.
Singing sacred (including both traditional and contemporary worship) music allows people to connect with God and be led to Christ while they explore their spiritual questions in a non-threatening environment.
Dwayne said, “I’m really pleased to have published this small Grove book – as well as to be able to combine my passion of music from my previous roles as conductor, composer and percussionist with my current roles as a priest and Ordained Ministries Development Officer, doing mission by loving people into God's kingdom. I hope the book helps churches and communities see how easy it is to start a community choir and encourages them to ‘give it a go’. (And, of course, to encourage them to buy as many dozens of copies of the book as they would like)!”
27 January 2023
The Bishop of Derby has announced the new Diocesan Secretary will be Will Hagger, who is currently Director of Housing and Investment Property in the Diocese of London.
Will brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked for the London Diocesan Fund for eight years. He is a chartered surveyor and has previously worked for property fund management business, Newcore Capital.
Will said: “I am really excited by the opportunities and challenges that my new role in Derby will present, both professionally and personally. Whilst I will be sad to leave the Diocese of London, I am looking forward to getting acquainted with the Diocese of Derby and the whole of Derbyshire.”
On announcing the appointment, Bishop Libby said: “I know you will join me in warmly welcoming Will to the Diocese of Derby. He will be a great asset to the diocese and in leading DBF colleagues from Church House. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as they prepare to move, and through all their transitions.”
Will’s first day with us will be 1st May 2023.
26 January 2023
The Revd Neil Barber, Vicar of Normanton-by-Derby, has also been appointed Priest-in-Charge of Sinfin St Stephen in the same diocese.
The Revd Will Eley, Assistant Curate of Normanton-by-Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of Normanton-by-Derby and of Sinfin St Stephen.
The Revd Lynn Hayler, Team Vicar in the North Wingfield Team Ministry, has announced her resignation. Lynn’s last day in post will be Sunday, 30 April 2023.
12 January 2023
The Revd Jenny Simpson, Assistant Curate of the St Werburgh’s Derby Bishop’s Mission Order (BMO), Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of the same BMO.
6 January 2023
The Revd Stuart Baxter, Curate of Kirby (Diocese of Liverpool) 1970-1973, Curate of Ainsdale 1973-1976, worker for the Church Mission Society, including time in Sierre Leone 1976-1984, Vicar of Nelson in Little Marsden (Diocese of Blackburn) 1984-1992, Vicar of Lostock Hall (1992-1999), Priest-in-Charge of Hatton (Diocese of Derby) 1999-2004, Assistant Chaplain of HMP Sudbury 1999-2003, Assistant Chaplain of HMP Foston Hall 2003-2006, who retired in 2006 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, died on Saturday, 31 December 2022.
The funeral will take place on Friday, 13 January 2023 at 12.30 pm at St Peter’s Belper.
5 January 2023
The Revd Trevor Beedell, Curate of Walton (St Edmundsbury and Ipswich) 1965-1968, Rector of Hartshorne (Derby) 1968-1979, Rural Dean of Repton 1974-1979, Chaplain to HMP Foston 1979-1980 Vicar of Doveridge 1979-1986, Diocesan Director of Christian Stewardship 1979-1997, who retired in 1997, was Retirement Chaplain with his wife Mary until 2009, and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate until 2018, died on Tuesday, 20 December 2022.
A thanksgiving service will be held on Monday, 23 January 2023 at 11.30 am at St Wilfrid’s West Hallam, following a private service at the Crematorium. If you plan to attend please email mdleb@icloud.com.
A service of celebration and thanksgiving for the ministry of the Venerable Carol Coslett, Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales, will take place on Saturday, 11 February 2023 at 3 pm at St John’s Buxton. This will be an opportunity to say farewell as Carol leaves for her new post in the Diocese of Southwark. Several choirs will be participating and offering different musical contributions during the service.
The Revd Sandra Doore, Team Vicar in the Gateacre Team Ministry, Diocese of Liverpool, has been appointed Team Vicar in the Buxton with Burbage and King Sterndale Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Nicola McNally, Assistant Curate in the benefice of Tideswell, has been appointed interim part-time Priest-in-Charge of ‘The Peak Five’ Benefice (comprising Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop-en-le-Dale) and interim part-time Assistant Curate (known as Associate Priest) for Carsington Deanery.
Having spent 28 years in the Royal Air Force, I know how important Remembrance Day is to the military.
I have taken part in many Remembrance parades, services and fundraising events.
There is a need and a desire to do all of these things well, to honour those who have gone before and who gave their lives as a sacrifice for their country.
Every year, each Military Remembrance event I attended, was organised with detailed precision, thought and reverence.
Which, I believe, is what always made it deeply emotional and moving.
For this reason, I had always thought of Remembrance as a military occasion, a time when we remember and honour our fallen military personnel.
The Poppy has become a symbol of Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day started in 1919 to commemorate the anniversary of Armistice Day, the day when the Armistice was signed marking an end to World War One (WW1) in 1918.
WW1 was called ‘the war to end all wars’, unfortunately we know only too well that war is still very much a part of our world today.
Since becoming a Christian, I began to see Remembrance Day in a different way.
When I first learned that Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, of giving up his life for me, I was overwhelmed.
It took me a while to understand the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.
Once I had accepted that Jesus died on the cross to take away our sin, I was thankful for his ultimate sacrifice and it gave me a renewed hope for the future, in him.
Now, every year, on Remembrance Day, I am reminded of all of the deaths that occur due to war, not just the deaths of those in the military, but also civilian casualties and those who are being persecuted or killed in the spiritual war against evil.
Jesus came to show us how to be truly human through loving one another, being thankful and giving us the hope of eternal life through him.
Love, hope and thankfulness can help us to deal with difficult times in life, they help us to be more human and to more closely reflect the image of God.
War is not part of God’s plan for us. Jesus’ sacrifice was supposed to be the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.
For this reason, for me, the Cross of Jesus and the Poppy of Remembrance Day, work in unison.
The Poppy is a symbol to remember those whose lives were sacrificed in war and the hope of future peace.
The Cross of our saviour Jesus Christ symbolises his love, promises and sacrifice for us.
Through death on the cross and his resurrection, Jesus gives us the hope of eternal life and peace to come.
It is really important that these sacrifices are never forgotten.
Remembrance Day is a time to be thankful for the sacrifices that have been made, so that we can have hope for the future, in the love and peace of God.
Revd Lisa Taylor is a curate in the United Benefice of Atlow, Bradley, Hognaston, Hulland and Kniveton
In October last year, Jane Foster, Relationship Manager at The Children’s Society visited All Saints Church Wingerworth who have raised a spectacular £28,292.20 to support The Children’s Society’s work.
She gave them an update on how their hard work is making a difference.
Kay Duckett, a Reader at All Saints Wingerworth (pictured), distributed Children’s Society prayer cards and exhibited a brilliant display that highlighted the societies work.
Jane Foster, said: “Right now, thousands of young people find themselves trapped forced into crime and sexual abuse by criminal gangs.
"They’re living in fear of what comes next. They see no way out. But our project workers in the East Midlands are there to help.
“From motivational messages to hour-long calls, working with police and other agencies to ensure safeguarding and sharing of intelligence, they can be the positive influence that young people are missing.
"And with generous support, they can be on-hand for as long as it takes to help young people see that the future is theirs to own.”
Bishop Libby, who is Vice Chair of Trustees of The Children’s Society, commented: “This is amazing. The Children Society are brave, ambitious, trusted and supportive in their work with some of the most vulnerable young people in our communities.
"This is the work of the Kingdom – at the heart of which, Jesus tells us, are such children. On behalf of The Children’s Society, and the children we work with, I extend my sincerest thanks to those at All Saints Wingerworth: this example of generous Christian faith in action is transforming lives for good.”
>> Download a printable map of Hardwick Deanery here (suitable for A4 and A3) [JPG]
>> Download a printable map of the Archdeaconry of East Derbyshire from this page.
Welcome to the Hardwick Deanery.
We are part of the Archdeaconry of East Derbyshire
Archdeacon - The Ven. Karen Hamblin - karen.hamblin@derby.anglican.org
Area Dean - Revd Rachel Williams - revrwilliams25@gmail.com
Assistant Area Dean - Revd Imogen Black - imogen.black@trinity-oxford.com
Assistant Area Dean - Peter Bold - revdbold@gmail.com
Synod Lay Chair – John Atkin
Synod Treasurer – Mrs Di Fretwell
Synod Secretary – Miss Ailsa Cooling
Assistant Warden of Readers – Mrs Di Fretwell
Deanery Synod Meetings 2025
Thursday, 10 July 2025 at 7pm – St Mary & St Laurence Church, Bolsover
Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at 7pm – Venue TBC
Refreshments at 6.30pm, meeting starts at 7pm
Hardwick Benefices
- Alfreton (Parish of Alfreton)
- Ashover and Handley, and Brackenfield with Wessington (Parishes of Ashover and Handley; Brackenfield; Wessington)
- Ault Hucknall and Scarcliffe (Parishes of Ault Hucknall; Scarcliffe)
- Blackwell with Tibshelf (Parishes of Blackwell; Tibshelf)
- Bolsover (Parish of Bolsover)
- Crich and South Wingfield (Parishes of Crich; South Wingfield)
- East Scarsdale (Parishes of Pleasley, Shirebrook, Upper Langwith with Langwith Bassett; Whaley Thorns)
- Heath (Parish of Heath) (including Holmewood)
- Morton and Stonebroom with Shirland (Parishes of Morton; Shirland; St. Peter Stonebroom)
- North Wingfield, Clay Cross and Pilsley (Parish of North Wingfield) (includes 3 Parish Churches Clay Cross, North Wingfield and Pilsley, and two additional churches at Tupton and Danesmoor)
- Pinxton (Parish of Pinxton)
- Riddings and Ironville (Parishes of Riddings; Ironville)
- Somercotes (Parish of St. Thomas, Somercotes)
- South Normanton (Parish of South Normanton)
Fees Table 2022 (locally agreed)
Parochial Fees Guidance 2022 (locally revised)
Natasha's Law
On 1 October 2021, Natasha’s Law came into effect for all foods produced and prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) with food labelling changing in the UK.
This new labelling will provide potentially life-saving allergen information on packaging for consumers.
A full list of ingredients will be required by law to be stated on the label, along with the name of the food.
Parishes are subject to the general law in relation to the sale and supply of food and drink.
This includes complying with the Food Information (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2019 which add Natasha’s Law to the Food Information Regulations 2014.
Regulations definition
The Regulations apply to a “food business” which is defined as any undertaking, whether for profit or not and whether public or private, carrying out any of the activities related to any stage of production, processing and distribution of food.
The regulations define a “food business operator” as the natural or legal persons responsible for ensuring that the requirements of food law are met within the food business under their control.
As a result of these definitions, PCCs fall within the scope of food business and food business operators.
Private individuals who occasionally sell or offer food at church events are exempt from the allergen information requirements.
However, if an individual is providing food as a food business operator or provides products for consumption to one, such as a church café or regular lunch club, then the necessary allergen information should be provided.
Natasha's Law has extended the 2014 Regulations.
The 2014 Regulations originally applied to foods that are not pre-packed, and Natasha’s Law has extended the Regulations to pre-packed for direct sale to a final consumer.
Where food is not pre-packed, the information must stuill be provided, though in this case it can be provided verbally and either a label attached to the food or notice, ticket or label must be readily visible stating that details of the substance or product can be obtained by asking a member of staff.
Pre-packed food will need to clearly display on the packaging the name of the food, full ingredients list, within allergenic ingredients emphasised.
Learn More
>> What is Natasha's Law?
>> Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
Bishop Libby is pleased to announce that Ian Blaney of Lee Bolton Monier-Williams has been appointed the next Registrar of the Diocese of Derby and her Legal Secretary, following the retirement of Nadine Waldron.
The appointment will take effect on 1 October 2021 and all Registry enquiries should be directed to the new registrar from that date.
He is to be supported by three deputy registrars, Howard Dellar, Susan Newell and Ed Henderson who each have their own specialist expertise.
Susan Black is to be the principal registry clerk, supported by Kevin Diamond.
Ian Blaney is a solicitor with over 15 years’ experience in ecclesiastical law. He has written various publications on church, burial and marriage law and has a degree in canon law.
He lives in north London where he is a member of his parish church, on the PCC, and is Vice-Chair of Governors of the church school.
He hails from Cheshire and Staffordshire where family members still live. He has served as Registrar of the Diocese of Lincoln for the last 4 years and will continue in that post.
His firm, Lee Bolton Monier-Williams is known for its expertise in ecclesiastical, charity and educational law.
Bishop Libby said: “I am delighted that Ian is joining us as our new registrar. His knowledge, experience and expertise will be an valuable addition to our diocesan team. I am inspired by his commitment to live out his faith by offering the best practice of law in the service of the Church for the sake of the Kingdom. I am looking forward to working together so that we can be good news for all in transforming lives through growing the church and building community.”
Ian Blaney said: “I would like to thank the Bishop and her team for appointing me to this important role. I look forward to exploring the parishes of the Diocese and getting to know the clergy, lay officers and volunteers who faithfully make their churches a place of welcome and sanctuary. I am grateful to my predecessor Nadine Waldron for her steadfast work over many years for and making the handover as smooth as possible. My office is based in London, where the Registry is easily contactable by phone, email, ‘snail mail’ and video. Although the last year has highlighted the convenience and usefulness of online meetings, I and my team value forming relationships and maintaining a presence through personal visits, and we look forward to being with you.”
The contact details for the new Registrar are:
Derby Diocesan Registry
1 The Sanctuary
Westminster
London
SW1P 3JT
Reception Telephone: 020 7222 5381
Direct Telephone (Registry Clerk): 0207 960 7152
Email: derby.registry@1thesanctuary.com
A registry website is in the process of being built and information about this will be published in due course.
