"The Land of the Twelve Churches"

PARISH PUMP

The magazine for 'The Land of The Twelve Churches' across our fifteen villages of Alvescot, Black Bourton, Bradwell Village, Broadwell, Broughton Poggs, Filkins, Grafton, Holwell, Kelmscott, Kencot, Langford, Little Faringdon, Radcot, Shilton, and Westwell...

All in the West Oxfordshire Cotswolds

A Happy New Year to all who live in 'The Land of the Twelve Churches', and particularly to you, dear Reader, wherever you live.

PARISH PUMP is usually distributed through every letterbox in our fifteen villages. (If you do not get one, please email )

Parish Pump is also available to view on this page, and is best read on a PC or laptop (the rest of the site is fine on mobiles.)

We welcome all and any ideas and comment on any subject

If you wish to send a message to PARISH PUMP, please see the 'Contact' page from the menu

To 'read PARISH PUMP' (both latest and back issues), and to see all the other News, Views, Poetry and more...

... Please use the menu at the top of the page.

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Everything works on all devices, except reading the magazine is best on a PC or tablet

So many readers have asked 'where has the Church gone?' that it seems sensible to write something here on the website rather than take up space in the magazine. You will find it at the foot of the 'About' page from the menu above, or HERE

Please explore the PARISH PUMP website using the regular menu at the top... Not only can you read the latest issue of the magazine, but there is also lots of latest (and older!) News and Views to explore. And, in addition, here below are some 'specials'...

Who's for Tennis? Colston Tennis Club is a small, friendly club right here in The Land of The Twelve Churches. Nick Goodenough, of Broadwell, says: "Post-corona, why not come down for a game?'  

See more HERE

One year, twelve pictures... James Lindsay of Woodside House, Shilton took a photograph of Astall Barrow every month for a year. A wonderful record of 'that mound by the A40 you always meant to explore.'  

Now you can! See James' pictures   HERE

The sermon given by Colin Fletcher, the Bishop of Dorchester, at the service on Wednesday 6th October 2004 when Harry MacInnes was inducted as Rector of the Shill Valley & Broadshire Benefice. The sermon is published here in commemoration of the Bishop's retirement during October 2020. (First published in Parish Pump November 2004)   HERE

'Around Our Land'. Tom Barry and others share their views of The Land of the Twelve Churches in this Time of Corona. HERE

(Do join in: please email your photographs for inclusion)

'It's a Knock-Out' & 'The Pantomime Horse Races' Here's three films (courtesy of Ruth Henderson) of great afternoons in Filkins 30 years ago... 

HERE

When worlds collide: watch the foxes, and badgers, and hares cavorting in Chris Hank's garden

HERE

Lockdown Lens: nearly 400 photographs in and around our Land of The Twelve Churches from Giles Edwards

HERE

'Harry (and Margot)' in Lockdown: online content tends to disappear very quickly, so here gathered together for second viewing, or for those who missed them first time round, are all the YouTube films made by Harry and Margot from mid March 2020 onwards

HERE

Filkins and Broughton Poggs churches are open every day.

How did they do it? Visitor information and guidelines

HERE

Stop Press! A new PCC has  since closed them again on most days:  HERE

Is God Real? If so, how real? If not, so what?

A debate from recent issues of PARISH PUMP

HERE

Must Rhodes Fall? Should Rhodes Fall?

Our very own Donal Lowry takes a cogent view

HERE