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 1703-14 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 had work done over the
years and this year we are going to give our bells a once in a century overhaul
and similarly are going to renovate and repair our lengthy stone wall around the
churchyard.
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 Morning Service and the second Communion. Our wonderful Reader,
Janet Caudwell, takes the Morning Service and Jo Robinson, our vicar, takes the
Communion. 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.
Please contact our acting churchwarden for more details (click below).