East Woodlands, which includes Blatchbridge, Feltham, West Woodlands and Friggle Street, is a small rural village of approximately 250 inhabitants on the edge of the Longleat estate, some three miles from the southern boundary of Frome. It covers a wide area of houses, cottages and farms.
The Church
The original church was built in about 1714 by Longleat estate, on the edge of the remains of Selwood Forest, a previously bandit-ridden haunt within the bounds of the extensive lands of the Marquesses of Bath. The Thynne (family name of the Baths) Ecclesiastical Trust still provides some funding for the repair and maintenance of our church, together with two other churches still on Longleat lands. The church is in a good state of repair. We have a quinquennial in September 2023 but have had work done over the years and hope that it will not reveal too much that needs to be done.
Not only is the church in a beautiful rural setting, surrounded by woodland and farmland, but it also has ample parking and the very pretty village hall (the old school) is 50 yds away and used extensively after funerals, christenings, weddings, etc. as it seats about 80 people and has all mod cons. The church works with the Hall Committee and together put on shared events such as cream teas during the year, the income from which is then shared.
Our Services
We currently have two services a month, on the 1st & 3rd Sundays, the first being Communion and the second Morning Service. Our wonderful Reader, Janet Caudwell, takes the service at both, with our previous vicar carrying out communion duties until our current vacancy commenced, in September 2023. Our congregation is small but faithful and many come from outside the parish to worship with us. As with many rural churches, we fill up on high days and holidays. We have 63 on the Electoral Roll. The church has an enthusiastic four-part choir with a very talented choir director and organist. We have an appreciation of church music and would welcome someone who shares our passion. We are ‘middle’ church following a service that has traditional parts in line with the BCP and other more modern elements. We use the BCP for particular services during the year.