Barnstaple’s new vicar, a new choir school – and alpacas

The new Vicar of Barnstaple and his congregation are hoping to transform the town’s parish church with a variety of new plans – starting with a free cathedral style Choir School for local children and a pet service.

The Reverend Canon Dr Benjamin Williams took up the post as vicar in February and as a choir master, singer and concert harpist, he brought his passion for music with him from Oxford to Barnstaple.

The Choir School will be completely free and open for Key Stage 2 primary school children aged seven to 11, with a taster day being held at the town centre parish church of St Peter and St Mary Magdalene this Saturday, July 20 from 2 to 4pm.

Those who take part will learn the theme tune from The Vicar of Dibley – The Lord is My Shepherd – which will be performed at the church’s first-ever Pet Blessing Service this Sunday (July 21) at 10.30am.

The pet service is another new initiative that will feature guest alpacas D’artagnan and Xenon from Woolley Animals at Winkleigh, as well as dogs, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs and whichever pets people might want to bring along with them.

Father Benjamin, aged 39, is keen to make the church as inclusive and community-centred as possible and the congregation has increased by 50 per cent since he took on the role.

He said: “At the moment I am knocking on every door in the parish to introduce myself and leave my contact details in case people ever have a need and everyone has been welcoming and kind – I have been made to feel very much at home.

“It’s a great team here, people are enthusiastic and volunteer and really want to make the church a place for everyone in the community.

“Music is going to be a big part of church life and if there’s one thing the Church of England does really well it’s teach music and provide a place for music-making. Cathedrals provide second-to-none training in musicianship and that happens in Exeter, but what about North Devon?

“It’s my hope that we can offer something of the cathedral choir school experience here at St Peter’s. The cost of music lessons can be a real boundary that can make music-making an elitist activity, so I wanted to make sure this choir school was something everybody could take part in.”

Above: Reverend Benjamin Williams has brought a sense of fun to the parish church – but no parking without permission from the vicar! 

Father Benjamin grew up in a Cotswolds countryside village near Stratford-upon-Avon. Though not himself from a background where people went to university, he went on to take up an offer to study Hebrew with Aramaic and Syriac at the University of Oxford.

He remained there as a lecturer and also taught Biblical and Rabbinic Studies at Leo Baeck College in London, alongside work as a parish priest. He continues some part time lecturing work, and has been appointed a Canon Theologian at Exeter Cathedral on an honorary basis.

He was ordained as a priest in 2010 and was a priest in the Bicester Team Ministry. His former rector, Reverend Canon Verena Breed, was later appointed as Archdeacon of Barnstaple.

Father Benjamin told her he was looking for a new adventure, she suggested he might like Barnstaple and the rest is history – he and his cat Snap made the move to North Devon.

Barnstaple’s parish church currently needs roof repairs and grant applications are underway for that as well as to restore the 17th century monuments to local mayors and MPs inside the church.

“Because this is the civic church in Barnstaple, for the Remembrance Sunday service and many community-wide events, it’s important we have a building that’s a nice place to be, in good condition and a source of local pride,” said Father Benjamin.

“At some point the wrong paint was used on the walls, it retains moisture and is flaking off, so that’s quite a big job we will need to fundraise for.”

But he said the important part of the church was its people: “We will keep that focus on renovating the building, but we will also continue to reach out to as many people as possible who might like to join in any aspect of our church community.

“It’s been nice to see the congregation increase, with all ages and all walks of life and that’s what this church is good at, to be totally inclusive and non-judgemental.

“Absolutely anyone who lives locally can be guaranteed a welcome and know they will be made to feel at home.”

The Choir School taster session is this Saturday, July 20, from 2pm to 4pm at St Peter’s, with all KS2 children and their families welcome. 

To sign up for the free Choir School taster day this weekend, please CLICK HERE

The first-ever Pet Blessing Service is this Sunday, July 21 at 10.30am, with all pets and animals welcome.