THE Archdeaconry Pastoral Committee has recommended, after local consultation, the split of the United Benefice that includes Belstone with Sticklepath as well as South Tawton with South Zeal. The recommendations also see Belstone and Sticklepath go their separate ways to join Okehampton?s Moorland team, while South Tawton joins the Whiddon Parishes group. Prebendary Anthony Geering will almost certainly be appointed Priest-in-charge of South Tawton and eventually the parishes of Chagford, Drewsteignton, Gidleigh, Hittesleigh, South Tawton, Spreyton and Throwleigh will become what is called a ?Mission Community.? It is expected that this bigger organisation will enable rural church life to be more efficient whilst allowing each parish to retain its own identity and authority. A meeting last month, held in Church House, South Tawton, was convened at the suggestion of Preb Geering to allow parishoners to have proper information plans and for them to determine what they want in the way of church services, to introduce the Whiddon parishes and their existing organisation to the parish, and to meet the two priests ? Anthony Geering and Noel Walter. Weekly services are planned to be held in each village with times varying for each village but this pattern is not ?written in stone? and changes can be agreed.
