Marwood Parish Church
Priest-in- Charge
To be appointed
Churchwarden: Margaret Greenslade 01271 372065
The Domesday Book of 1086 indicates the presence of a church in Marwood as early as the 11th century, where it refers to the settlement of ‘Cherchemerewode’ (Church Marwood). Some of the fabric of the parish church which stands today has 13th century origins, although the greater part dates from the 15th century onwards.
WE ARE PART OF THE NORTH TAW MISSION COMMUNITY AND FOR MORE INFORMATION AND THE LINK MAGAZINE GO TO https://www.northtaw.org.uk
For Church Hall bookings please ring Beatrice Brooks 01271 376028
Tales from a Country Churchyard
Our churchyard tales event on September 9th 2023 was a wonderful occasion, blessed with excellent weather. 7 actors from Studio Theatre donned appropriate costumes and brought their characters to life. This had involved considerable research with the help of Jane Ratue. 2 groups of 25 were taken round the churchyard to view the performances at the gravesides. Then everyone enjoyed refreshments in the church. ‘A memorable, special evening’ e-mailed one visitor. Many thanks to all who provided food and helped in any way to make this such an enjoyable evening.
Marwood Past and Present
The Marwood Exhibition has been a huge success with so many taking part and more than1000 visitors coming to the exhibition during the month. It became a special meeting place over the summer, particularly for locals past and present. Visitors also appreciated the huge amount of work that had gone into the exhibition. The amazing panoramic view of the church above, another feat of technology, begins to show just a part of what was on offer. Add to that the tours, records to discover, amazing craftwork, children's quiz, and the teas, (raising funds for the Church Restoration, Children's Hospice South West, Freedom Centre, Taw Community Welcome and Scouts) you have some picture of what the 'Marwood Past and Present' gave to Marwood during August. Thank you Margaret for wanting this to happen and keeping us together to make it happen! ]
THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH DONE ON THE PEW ENDS IN THE CHURCH - PLEASE GO AND EXPLORE AND FIND THE INFORMATION TO THE LEFT OF THE MAIN DOOR.
Marwood Parish Churchyard
Churchyards hold many special memories and ours in Marwood are no different. In 2014 a small group of us thought it would be a good idea to create a plan of the parish churchyard and record the births, marriages and deaths within the parish. This would enable anybody who wanted to, to research their families and possibly find their graves. We were also very aware that the evidence on many gravestones was gradually becoming illegible and the lead lettering was wearing away so recording needed to be completed sooner rather than later. It sounded so simple and achievable. Two years later we have completed the first stage of recording the burials.
During 2015, Jane Ratue (a former teacher at Marwood School) copied and/or photographed records from the Church and Barnstaple Record Office. David Pepper put this information onto an interactive programme - with well over 3,000 people recorded so this was no mean task. The records began in 1679 and with only on average about 10 entries a year, you can understand how this has built up.
Graham Edwards completed an excellent plan of the Churchyard and I have linked and recorded as much information as possible from the memorials within the Churchyard to his plan and the interactive programme.
You can view the plan and churchyard information below and it is also displayed in the Church. You can gain access to all the records through the Church Office at Heanton or through the Church Warden. If you can give us any additional information about any of the graves in the churchyard or help in any other way, please let us know.
Thank you, June Tamlyn September 2016
INFORMATION The graves are split into 5 sections, A,B,C,D & E .
The commemorative plaques and cremation ashes are within Block F and those named on the War Memorial are noted as WM. Sections V,W,X,Y & Z are repositioned headstones. There is a separate plan to show their original positions and the number in the column on the far right # relates to that plan.
Please use this information together with the plans of the churchyard. The surnames are listed here in alphabetical order.
A SELECTION OF OUR PREVIOUS EVENTS
Remembrance Day 2019
The Fabric Committee
Childrens Holiday Bible Club - organised by
Marwood Church at
Marwood Church Hall
Monday 22nd - Friday 26th July 201910am - 12.30pm (Doors open 9.45am) 4-11 years
More information from Pauline Williamson 01271 343303
No charge but donations towards costs appreciated.
MARWOOD EASTER FLOWER FESTIVAL 2018 - A wonderful community event of beautiful flowers - enjoy the gallery
Sheep, sheep everywhere…..
…...of every size and shape, from the sheep pen in the porch to those hiding among the floral arrangements. Yes, it was Marwood Church Spring Festival taking the theme of “Jesus the Good Shepherd”. Children enjoyed crafts, games, storytelling, bouncing around and catching magic bubbles with “Jiggy Wrigglers”, an animal fancy dress parade, face painting and eating lots of iced cakes.
Everyone enjoyed barbecued food (not lamb!) as well as drinks and delicious cakes and scones. There were some ingenious entries by adults and children for the best sheep picture or model.
….and the weather? Well, it did rain on and off, but spirits were not dampened, and by 3.45pm the rain stopped for everyone to gather outside to watch cuddly toys parachuting from the church tower. What excitement from the children as they watched the wind taking their toys this way and that! All eventually reached land, even the one which had to be rescued by ladder from the roof!
A big thank you to everyone who helped and came to support making it an enjoyable day which raised over £1100!
STOP PRESS £1,118 raised at Marwood “St George’s Day” celebration.
This was one of the many church fund raising events planned over the next 6 months and took place in Marwood Church Hall on Saturday 22nd April 2017 when around 60 parishioners, friends and visitors enjoyed a banquet of succulent locally produced sausages and mash (vegetarian sausages were also available) plus a superb array of puddings followed by cheese and biscuits. The entertainment started with poems and some amusing accounts of the origins of St George given by David Pepper. A lot of head scratching followed with questions relating to our English heritage. Finally there was much flag waving and fine singing of “Land of Hope and Glory” and “Rule Britannia” to the accompaniment of music played by Margaret Greenslade and Pauline Williamson. Event organiser, June Williams, said she was quite overwhelmed with the amount raised and sincerely thanked the support of the helpers and all those who attended.