Please explore 'The Land', this website, and...

PARISH PUMP

The website and 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

Traveller, Visitor, Reader, Pilgrim...
You are welcome in 'The Land' at any time.

PARISH PUMP magazine is published every two months, and is available to distribute  through every letterbox in our 15 villages.

(If you do not get one, please email editor@parishpump.net)

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

The latest issue of Parish Pump (on line and in paper) is:
August & September 2021

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Copy is invited by 12th September for the next issue which is:
October & September 2021

To read PARISH PUMP magazine online (latest & back issues),
or to see all the other website news, views, poetry & more...
... Please use the menu at the top of the page.

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'...

And now, on with the specials...

"The Westwell Bridleway" People often wonder about the Bridleway which runs from the pond area in the centre of Westwell and goes up through the Old Rectory, past the Glebe House and on to the Cirencester road. Georgie Fox explains how it all came about: HERE

"The Government Inspector". On 17th July, Filkins Theatre presented Gogol's satirical masterpiece about  corruption, as "an outdoor rehearsed reading in costume" . This has become a bit of an annual bash, made particularly welcome this year as an early opportunity to meet together for a party. For a review of the play: HERE

CPRE
2050

In the 'June & July 2021' issue of Parish Pump, there is a diary item outlining the CPRE briefing about the Oxfordshire Plan 2050. The article offers further information... HERE

Along the road near Westwell. A road, a wide verge, some trees, a hedge, and 90 seconds to watch the film...
Nothing happens, just a peaceful interlude in the Cotswolds and an example of the simple pleasures of life in The Land of the Twelve Churches.
HERE

Around the churchyard. More people visit churchyards looking for ancestors, but memorials moulder, sometimes dangerously, leaving churchwardens and PCCs with various management concerns. Here is a report about one local churchyard, with suggestions for a way forward.
HERE

The Filkins Tornado. For those who weren't here... Yes we really did have a tornado! 17 years ago in March 2004. It was an extraordinary event, written up with great verve by some young storm-chasers. Here are their 16 pages of explanation and photographs (with Filkins itself starting on page 8.)
HERE

A long time ago? Maybe not! Julian Choyce, of Filkins, looks back 35 years to meeting Ann on VSO in Zimbabwe, and reflects on what they learned then that has a relevance in lockdown today.

HERE

On top of the world! Or at any rate on top of the scaffolding, while the bellcote at St Peter's Church, Filkins was being restored a few years ago. Have a look at this great 360 panorama film of the village... As you've never seen it before!  Plus a second filmlet of the new bellcote stonework.

HERE

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

The Flood of July 2007: remember that very wet weekend? Watch this film made in Shilton, and shudder!
HERE

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

HERE

The Empty Pulpit: 'Harry (and Margot)' in Lockdown: Here gathered together for second viewing (and for those who missed them first time round), are all 50 of the films made by Harry MacInnes & Margot Hodson between Mothering Sunday 22nd March 2020 & Easter Sunday 4th April 2021: HERE

Filkins and Broughton Poggs churches stayed open during most of 2020, fully in accord with government guidelines. 
How did they do it? HERE

Is God Real? If so, how real? If not, so what?
A debate conducted in the pages of PARISH PUMP
HERE

Must Rhodes Fall? Should Rhodes Fall?

Our very own Donal Lowry takes a cogent view

HERE

May 2021 update: Oriel College has announced Rhodes will NOT Fall... So far, success!

"The past was not a rehearsal for the present."   

Hilary Mantel