Author: stpetrock1

Government advice now allows churches to open for supervised individual prayer in line with current social distancing guidelines. However, St Petrock’s will remain closed for Health and Safety concerns as the building project is well under way inside the church to provide a toilet and servery.

The PCC hopes that this work will be completed within the next few weeks and the church can then re-open shortly afterwards once it has been cleaned and in line with government advice.

We are all aware that our church is an important sacred space and we look forward to when it can again be a meeting place for worship and prayer and community use.

At a time when no social or fundraising meetings have been held for three months due to coronavirus restrictions, we are extremely grateful to Rosemary Conquer who is making and selling marmalade. John and Jenny Gratton have created a wonderful walking booklet linking all six churches in the Dunster Benefice which is available at the Post Office and limited numbers of the cookery book are still available from the Post Office. All profits go to church funds.

Rev. Caroline Ralph      01643 821812

John Gratton                01643 841490

Marion Jeffrey              01643 841500

We are delighted that work has been able to resume at St Petrock’s as permitted by the government after a complete halt since 23^rd March.

Both the church architect, the appointed archaeologist and a representative from Exmoor National Park have been on site this week and will make regular visits to assess the progress and monitor work.

Inevitably there will be some disturbance in what is an ancient burial site. A condition of approval for the project was that this is done in accordance with church and ENP guidelines. All findings are recorded and photographed and assessed professionally. No bones leave consecrated ground and at the conclusion of this project a dignified and established service will be followed to bless and re-inter any remains found. The date for this will be announced and anyone who would like to attend would be most welcome.

Please be aware that for now the church and churchyard remain closed.

We all look forward to completion of this work and the re-opening of our church for worship and for community purposes as soon as is possible.

If you are in need of any support or help whilst our daily routines of life and worship are so disrupted, please do not hesitate to let us know and we will endeavour to assist.

With all good wishes

John Gratton (841490) Churchwarden  Marion Jeffrey (841500) Deputy Churchwarden

Dear All

Following on from this note is the weekly Dunster Benefice bulletin prepared by our Rector Caroline Ralph. This also gives her contact details and those for Revd. Margaret.

Given the social distancing we are all experiencing and the fact we cannot for now meet for church services and all the usual social events and fundraising activities which are such an important part of the fabric of our lives, we would like to add this weekly message to Caroline’s bulletin as an opportunity for us all to keep in touch with each other as well as in tune with the church calendar.

Please continue to remember in your prayers Mary our Churchwarden, Paula and Stephanie who are all unwell.

If you would like any help or support in any way, please do let us know. John and Jenny Gratton and Marion Jeffrey can be contacted at any time. We can shop, collect prescriptions and medications from Dunster surgery or Boots in Minehead, or have a chat over the phone with you if you would like. Put simply, please let us know if there is anything at all you need. If we can help we will, and if we can’t we will find someone who can!

We miss seeing all our usual familiar faces around and about, so if there is any news that you would like us to put into this weekly note, please just let us know and it will be published the following week. Whilst the Dunkery Tidings will not be published during the pandemic, this will take its place for the time being.

We all look forward to meeting up again. In the meantime, keep well, keep safe and keep in touch.

John Gratton 01643 841490 and Marion Jeffrey 01643 841500