Items filtered by date: June 2025
>> 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)
The diocesan churchyard regulations cover the erection of memorials and gravestones in churchyards.
Any memorial needs permission before it can be placed in a churchyard.
These Regulations are made by the Chancellor of the Diocese of Derby to explain how to get permission, and what is likely to be permitted.
If a memorial or other item is placed in a churchyard without permission, then the chancellor can order its removal immediately.
Churchyards differ from local authority cemeteries in that they are attached to a church building which is often listed, or otherwise of historic or architectural interest, and used by a worshipping community.
As such there needs to be more careful control over what memorials can be placed there.
The form below is for all churchyard memorial applications, those which can be approved by Incumbents, Rural Deans and Archdeacons and, when the request falls outside their delegated authority, as the petition to the Chancellor for a faculty.
>> Diocese of Derby Churchyard Memorial Application Form (Nov 2022) [PDF]
A vacancy is the time between one incumbent leaving and the next starting.
Vacancies are an integral part of the life of all parish churches.
They can be a time for opportunity and growth, but may also be a time of anxiety and difficulty.
These FAQs are for parishes approaching or embarking upon a vacancy and are intended for those who have particular responsibilities during vacancies, including PCC members and churchwardens.
During a vacancy the area dean and churchwardens legally become ‘sequestrators’, i.e. the bishop’s officers in the parish.
The area dean will be the first point of contact for churchwardens and others seeking advice and support in the day-to-day running of the parish.
The wardens with the PCC will need to decide whether the wardens, ministry team or standing committee are the core working group for overseeing the life of the parish during the vacancy.
Other licensed and authorised ministers and those with leadership roles in the church also have a part to play in the practical aspects of church life.
► How to find cover for services during a vacancy
It will be important to publicise the list of who is going to look after (not singlehandedly running) different areas of church life – enquiries about baptism, pastoral visiting, home/study groups, church rotas etc.
A vacancy is not just a period of ‘marking time’ but may be a time of creative discovery and for enjoying the benefits of co-operative ministry within the church and with neighbouring parishes.
You area dean and archdeacon can help you with this.
Please also see the Vacancy Process flowchart.
FAQs
-
How long will we have to wait before we get a new vicar? +
This is going to vary considerably from one vacancy to another, but it is best to plan on an absolute minimum of a year. This is because, due to the pandemic, there are a high number of vacancies awaiting recruitment. Even when a successful candidate has been found, they will have to give three months' notice in their current diocese. It is also worth bearing in mind that the drop in common fund payments has meant that it is not always possible to recruit on a ‘like-for-like’ basis. Thoughts and possibilities will be discussed with you at the initial vacancy meeting, but thinking creatively is the name of the game. -
How do I cover church services whilst we have no vicar? +
Please bear with us, we are looking at how we can produce lists of people you can approach for cover without contravening GDPR guidelines. However, you can always ask your archdeacon and the bishops if they have any capacity to help out with a service or two. Your deanery administrator may also know of likely people for you to approach.
-
Is there anything I can read to help us out in the meantime? +
Here is a very useful publication which is readily available – So the Vicar's Leaving: The Good Interregnum Guide: Amazon.co.uk: Alexander, Mike, Martineau, Jeremy, Wood, Ron: 9781853115059: Books
-
We are undertaking some building work - what permissions do we need? +
Nigel Sherratt and Kat Alldread in the DAC office are always happy to help and advise:
Nigel Sherratt: nigel.sherratt@derby.anglican.org
Kat Alldread: kat.alldread@derby.anglican.org
For help finding a reputable tradesperson, see: nationalchurchestrust.org/Maintenancebooker
To discuss the possibility of a grant to help with your work: Gareth Greenwood: Gareth.Greenwood@derby.anglican.org -
We have a query relating to a churchyard / marriage / death is there a guide available on this? +
Yes, there is.
For churchyard questions, please see the latest Churchyard Regulations.
And there is further information on these subjects on our the; Derby Diocesan Registry website.
-
What process will we need to follow to fill our vacancy? +
To give you an idea of the process and steps to follow in recruiting a new incumbent, please see here.. They will be small variances depending on local circumstances. -
Who gets involved with advertising and recruiting a new vicar? +
Your parish(es) will nominate either one or two representatives who will form a panel, together with the local area dean, archdeacon and patrons, if appropriate. If you are in a larger, multi-parish benefice, the number involved from each church would usually be tailored to ensure proportional representation. Together, this panel will make decisions relating to how to advertise and interview and will be involved on the interview day itself. The bishop will also wish to see the application forms relating to any possible candidates, and will have an informal chat with your preferred candidate prior to an offer letter being issued. -
What documents will be required to advertise? +
The benefice/parish(es) concerned will work together to create a profile and advert, whilst the area dean and archdeacon will work on job and role descriptions, plus source a letter from the Bishop to include for potential applicants. Cathy in the archdeacons’ office has lots of examples of all of these, plus interview question templates, so please contact her if you wish to have some emailed across to you (cathy.luffman@derby.anglican.org ).
-
Where should we advertise? +
It is down to the parishes, but the choices are:
- Diocesan website (free of charge)
- Church Times (Approx £1000 to advertise ‘until filled) in a succinct advert in both paper and on their website
- Pathways (Church of England recruitment tool). Approximately £80
- Networks such as New Wine
- Patronage websites, e.g. the CPAS one. -
What happens at the interview? +
It is common to have both a formal interview (which will usually include a 10-minute presentation) before the formal panel, plus an opportunity for the candidate(s) to visit the parishes, possibly have lunch with people from the wider church or local school communities, and also be able to have a viewing of the vicarage. This process can be done over a day, two days, or sometimes more.
-
Who do I ask for help if we don’t know the answer to something? +
If you are stuck for an answer, please do shout up to your local area dean or archdeacon and they will do their best to help.
-
What is ‘pastoral reorganisation’ and how does that affect our vacancy? +
The term ‘pastoral reorganisation’ refers to the processes that occur when there are proposals which require legal changes, such as re-drawing of parish boundaries, a change to which property to use as the vicarage or the re-configuration of parishes to modify the benefice structure.
-
I have received a letter referring to ‘suspension of presentation’. What does that mean? +
Suspension of presentation is the temporary removal of a patron's right to present an incumbent to a benefice. Where churches have patrons, whether parishes are ‘in suspension’ or not, we would usually involve them in the process anyway, as a matter of courtesy. The bishop will remain responsible for the cure of souls which she/he will normally exercise by licensing a priest-in-charge.
-
Who pays the advertising and interview costs? +
This is usually split (fairly) between the parishes concerned. Anticipated costs which may be incurred:
- Advertising
- For interviews, the parish would usually offer to pay reasonable travel and accommodation expenses. -
How many applications should we expect to get? +
At the moment, we are looking at anything from six down to zero. Confidence for a move is still fairly low, although we are hoping things will gradually improve as and when we return to ‘normal’.
- 1
Bishop Libby and Bishop Malcolm are inviting all those engaged with and/or concerned for youth and children’s ministry across the diocese together on Zoom to pray for our children and young people as they face these challenging times, as well as for our churches and schools as places of worship, welcome, and belonging.
We will host this Zoom prayer gathering on Tuesday, 11th January, 7.30pm.
We will send the Zoom link to any who get in touch before that date via Bishop Malcolm’s office, bishopofrepton@derby.anglican.org.
The Derbyshire Carers Association has put together a list of useful helplines for Carers and others should they need help and support over the festive period, which can be downloaded here. The details are also available on the Derbyshire Carers Association website
Property Repairs and Maintenance
Please contact the property team during normal working hours on 01332 388650 or email propertyteam@derby.anglican.org
Any out of hours emergency please refer to the Emergency Contractors list from the links below.
Clergy Housing Emergency Repairs out of hours (including public holidays).
If an emergency occurs out of hours inlcuding public and seasonal holidays (Easter, Christmas etc), do not delay, instruct a Diocesan approved contractor immediately and inform the Property team of the problems when the office is open. An approved contractors list has been issued to all parishes and can also be found below.
Please be aware that not all contractors will cover Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day so in the event of emergency please use a reliable local contractor.
Emergency work should be done immediately and the bill sent to the Property team for payment or reimbursement.
In case of a plumbing leak, please ensure you know the location of the stopcock for the water main.
Resources
To ensure the best use of our resources, we have compiled a list of suitably approved contractors for your reference.
Whenever possible, please try to ensure that only emergencies are dealt with out of hours.
As you will appreciate an emergency out of hours repair costs the Diocese substantially more than a repair carried out during normal office hours.
Please ensure all emergency repairs are to be reported to the Church House Property Team as soon as possible.
- You should contact us on 01332 388650 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
- You will need to provide a brief description of the repair, the contractor who attended, and most importantly your contact details. This way the repair can be monitored, audited and managed.
Emergency contact information:
>> All Derby Deaneries and Carsington Emergency Contacts [PDF] updated November 2024
>> Hardwick and North East Deaneries Emergency Contacts [PDF] updated November 2024
>> High Peak Deanery Emergency Contacts [PDF] updated March 2024
What is an emergency?
An emergency repair is any fault which threatens harm to persons or property. Examples include;
1 Heating and hot water
Where you or your home is at risk due to a major water leak from any part of the heating system, and where the heating system fails.
Please note: Not having hot water is not considered an emergency if you have an electric immersion heater and/or an electric shower.
An exception to this would be for household members who are frail, elderly or registered disabled.
2 Gas leaks
If you smell gas, please telephone (British Gas) on 0800 111 999 who will attend to isolate the meter and make safe where necessary.
3 Total lack of water supply
Before contacting a plumber, please check with the water utility company to ensure that works are not being carried out in the area.
4 Total lack of electricity supply
Before contacting an electrician, please check with the electricity utility company to ensure that works are not being carried out in the area.
Please check the electrical distribution box – has one or more fuses tripped?
5 Plumbing leaks
If the leak is causing damage, then it will be considered an emergency - especially if penetrating into an electrical fitting. In the interim you should turn off your water supply at your stopcock or gate valve, and your electricity supply.
6 Blockages
If you have access to more than one WC, and only one is blocked, then please arrange for a plumber to attend during normal working hours.
7 Roof leaks or other damage
Where the damage to the roof is likely to worsen or when it is hazardous (eg roof tiles may fall onto a path, drive or highway), ring a roofing or general building contractor identified within the guides above.
Please be aware that in the event of adverse weather conditions, the contractor will only make the roof safe. The Church House Property Team, will then liaise with the contractor to arrange a permanent repair for a later date when good weather permits.
8 Downpipes and gutters
Please only contact an emergency building contractor if water is entering the building causing major damage or the loose part is dangerous.
9 Broken windows & Doors
Where the damage is caused as a result of a crime. In this case, please notify the local police force who will supply you with a crime reference number, which we will need for our records and report the matter to the Church House Property Team.
For other breakages, if they pose a security risk or are letting rainwater in, then please arrange for a contractor to attend.
10 Door locks
Please arrange to contact the locksmith:
1. If you cannot open or secure a door.
2. In the unfortunate event that you have been the target of criminals who may have stolen your keys, then please report this matter to the police and obtain a crime reference number, and report the matter to the Church House Property Team.
11 Dangerous trees
Trees are particularly vulnerable to the effects of high winds during a storm and sustain various types of damage as a result. If a tree is unsafe and unstable and there is imminent danger to persons and property, where possible please take supportive photographic evidence and contact the emergency tree work specialist outlined within this booklet.
We are committed to offering a first class repair service. If you have to arrange for a contractor to attend to an emergency, then please ensure the Church House Property Team are informed as soon as possible.
At the heart of Christmas
Last year, many of the familiar experiences that bring Christmas to life for all of us were lost because of the terrifying spread of the deadly Coronavirus throughout the population.
School nativities, office parties, carol singing, pantomimes, family gatherings for Christmas dinner, and much more that brings joy to so many, were often cancelled.
This year, the emergence of the new, highly-transmissible Omicron variant means the infection rate is, once again, rising alarmingly.
Despite the incredible effort being made to supply booster vaccines to all adults by the end of December, our celebrations again feel threatened and fragile.
That has focused my mind on what really matters.
At the heart of Christmas is the good news of God’s saving love revealed in the birth of Jesus.
What matters to me therefore, is echoing that generous love of God.
This year, I am determined to ensure that generosity to others lies at the heart of my Christmas.
That means I have given especially careful thought and attention to the gifts I buy for family, friends and colleagues this year but without forgetting that generosity is so much more than the material things we give to one another.
Generosity is about being available to others, making time for them and doing the things that matter to them rather than just the things I want to do.
It means stepping up to help with all the mundane but essential practical jobs at home like washing-up and taking out the recycling and rubbish for collection.
It means listening, paying proper attention and allowing others to disturb me, even when I want some peace and quiet.
It means looking beyond myself and my own family - to those who will be without shelter, food or care this Christmas and asking myself 'what generosity can I show them whether financially, through my attitude, or with my time'?
That first Christmas, Mary was overwhelmed by the generosity of the innkeeper offering shelter, the shepherds who left their flock to the mercy of the hillside, the wise men who travelled from afar to bring precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
She treasured these amazing things in her heart and pondered on them, wondering what those extraordinary events of the first Christmas might mean for her and her family then and in the years ahead.
As we reflect upon the generosity of God’s love for us, and see it reflected in the behaviour of those around us, may we too treasure the real gift of Christmas and take its spirit forwards into what will almost certainly be a very challenging 2022.
God’s love is not just something to be unwrapped for Christmas, shared for a few days and then put away for another year.
It is something we can draw on each and every day.
We can all commit ourselves to living a life that shows, in real and practical ways, that whatever else is cancelled in the months ahead, whoever we are and whatever our circumstances, God’s love is always available and ready to be shared generously with those around us.
Merry Christmas
Bishop Libby Lane
Bishop of Derby
This course is for readers with PtO, and for clergy with PtO who are not heavily involved in ministry, unless the Bishop’s Office requires certain delegates to do the Safeguarding Leadership course instead.
2025 Dates
PTO/3 Tuesday 9th September - 9.30-12.30pm - Zoom - Book Here
PTO/4 Wednesday 12th November - 10-1pm - Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby.DE1 3DE - Book Here
Please email amanda.sandland@derby.anglican.org to be placed on a waiting list to be contacted about future courses.
If you feel you may be affected by the contents of any safeguarding training and would like to discuss an exemption for a specific training course please contact Sue Griffin sue.griffin@derby.anglican.org our Victim and Survivor Lead, or Lisa Marriott lisa.marriott@derby.anglican.org our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor for a confidential discussion.
November 2021 saw our first-ever Diocesan Churchwarden Network events.
Churchwardens from across the Diocese made the journey to Danesmoor and Chellaston, one even coming all the way from the north of the Peak Deanery by train and taxi.
The aim of these events was to say thank you and acknowledge the huge contribution that our churchwardens make.
It was also to provide wardens with the opportunity to tell us what they felt we needed to hear and, more importantly, for us to listen.
Following opening worship and a personal thank you from the archdeacons, our partners from Ecclesiastical Insurance undertook a listening exercise where they asked the wardens:
- What is church like post-pandemic?
- What do you think the future of the church will look like?
- What can Ecclesiastical Insurance Group (EIG) do to help best support your parishes?
https://www.ecclesiastical.com/
https://www.ecclesiastical.com/church/church-insurance-consultants/lynne-ingham/
Ecclesiatical's Lynne Ingham leads a listening session
We then went on to begin the conversation around how the diocese can help when your church is in vacancy and to look at some of the challenges and opportunities about being in vacancy.
We finished the morning by sharing lunch together.
Being present at these two events only increased our admiration for all that the wardens do.
The level of expertise and knowledge in the room was overwhelming and it was a joy to be told from churchwardens who had arrived with queries about things to do with their own churches, that they had found answers in the guidance and advice given by other churchwardens present, who had experienced similar situations.
What has happened since
Those of us from the diocese and Ecclesiastical came away with a list of things to action and feedback.
A request was made for the equivalent of a ‘supply list’ of priests and readers who would be available to take services for churches in vacancy. This is being followed up.
We had hoped this would be a quick and simple task, but we are checking with our legal colleagues that to produce such a list is compliant with GDPR.
Communication difficulties were identified as being a major point of contention with the complexities of the current Church House telephone system being singled out for particular mention. This has been passed on to Senior Management.
The national churchwarden Facebook group was advertised https://www.facebook.com/groups/churchwardens and between our first and second events, our Comms team have created our a Facebook group specifically for churchwardens in the Diocese of Derby: https://www.facebook.com/groups/derbyshirechurchwardens
Questions were asked about finding reputable tradespeople when church repairs need doing and a good starting point is National Churches Trust maintenance booker:
https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/Maintenancebooker
Environmental Questions were asked and the link below offers some helpful suggestions
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/net-zero-carbon-church
Other suggestions and requests are being looked at.
Over 92% of those present said that they’d be extremely likely to attend another event, so please hold Thursday, 30 June 2022 in your diary.
There will be a follow-up letter in the New Year with more details and other information from the two events.
Discussion time at the Chellaston networking event
Fees Table 2022 (locally agreed)
Parochial Fees Guidance 2022 (locally revised)
