June 2004

Visits since 4th May 2002

Clayhidon parish lies to the East of Hemyock along the Devon/Somerset boundary. Its farms and dwellings are scattered across the plateau of the Blackdowns or cling to the sides of the valleys of the Bolham River and the Culm.

     Clayhidon has no true village centre, the church and public house having but six houses in close proximity.  Part of the settlement of Smeatharpe, some six miles from the church to the South-East, along narrow winding lanes, lies within the parish.  The scattered hamlet of Bolham Water lies  three miles South; a group of farms and houses is centred on Garlandhayes in the North-East corner; while Rosemary Lane, half a mile to the South of the church, has the largest concentration of houses in the parish.
 

The families of Clayhidon are a mixture of long established farming folk and commuters who work in Wellington, Taunton, and elsewhere, with a proportion of professional and business people among them.  There are too a number of retired people.  All these groups contribute to the social and cultural life of the community.  The parish has about  400 inhabitants.
 

There are some 31 names on the electoral roll (2004).  Many of the stalwarts of the congregation are retired people or drawn from the older generation of farmers; but  the balance can change markedly at a well attended family service. 

    The following groups are associated with the church  :-

1)    The Bell Ringers
            A lively team with a few new-comers to ringing.  All are members of the regular congregation.

2)    The Harvest Supper Committee
            A small group which meets to organise the most unifying event on the parish calendar.

3)      The St Andrew’s singers who sing at the services and give a concert.
 

The parish church of St. Andrew, established about 1274, stands on high ground (240 metres a.s.l.), and is the dominant land mark at  the northern end of the parish.  It is a solid building in the decorated style, and in good state of repair.  Little of the original stained glass remains. 

    There are six bells hanging  in its tower, and these too are in good repair and rung regularly.

    The Church Room, a small building adjacent to the church, is used for social occasions connected with its activities, e.g. coffee after Family Service etc.       The church yard remains open for burials and the scattering of ashes.  It has recently been extended.
 

More details may be found on the main  St Andrew's page.

See the Services in the Benefice page for the full list of services in the United Benefice.

    The Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Old and New are regularly used, except at the monthly family service, when a brief form of ‘Family Service’ is used.

    There appear to be no strong preferences  for any particular version of the Bible, though the King James version is used frequently.

    Average attendances at services are as follows :-

                        8.30 a.m. Communion                     15
                     10.00a.m.   Communion                     20
                        6.30p.m.  Evensong                         15
                     10.00 a.m.  Family Service                30

    Other Services :-

    Annual average for the last 5 years :-

                      Baptisms                                              2
                      Weddings                                             2
                      Funerals                                               4
                      Confirmations                                      0  (All held elsewhere)
 

Blackdown Hills Mission:-

            Particular to Clayhidon is the relationship with the Blackdown Hills Mission (Brethren), which is long established in the hill country of the Blackdowns.  Its main chapel is in Rosemary Lane.  The Mission is the only other denomination to have a centre of worship in the parish.  The two congregations have co-existed happily for many years, and there is considerable interaction between them, especially through the activities of the Blackdown Support Group hosted by the Rosemary Lane Chapel.  An annual joint service has been established and other events such as the Harvest Festival bring the two worshipping  communities together.
 

The Village Hall :-

            Formerly the Clayhidon Primary School, now the principal public building in the parish, the newly decorated village hall hosts :-

                   The Women’s Institute
                   Clayhidon Art Group
                   Occasional theatrical productions
and private functions, together with annual events such as the Parish Harvest Supper, Carols by Candlelight, Parish Quiz Team Evening, etc.  The hall has its own management committee with representation from the P.C.C.
 

The Half Moon Inn
 The Half Moon Inn is a well managed and thriving hostelry immediately adjoining the churchyard (now under new management; December 2006).  There is a little used public right of way through the pub to the church (used on Rogation Sunday).
 

The Half Moon Inn
Photo
 

The Local History Group
    The Local History Group meets monthly and maintains an impressive archive.  It has a number of international connections. 

Clayhidon people belong to clubs and associations based in Hemyock, and the Local History Group attracts members who live in Hemyock, Culmstock, and other neighbouring parishes. 

    The parish is represented on the governing body of Hemyock Primary School.  Most of the younger children of Clayhidon attend school there, though a minority of parents choose to send their children across the county boundary to the neighbouring Churchstanton School.
 

Clayhidon Profile;     Photos (village) Part 1;    Photos (village) Part 2;     Photos (events);     Photos (church);     Photos (Garden Safari);

Bells & Ringers;     Clayhidon History Group;     Clayhidon Parish Council;    Chest Tomb Repairs;      Find us by MultiMap.

Benefice;     Services;     Contacts & Links;     Web-site Map;

Welcome;     Valley Events;     Hemyock;     Culm Davy;     Clayhidon;     Culmstock;     St Cyprian, Bonn.