The Church is part of a United Parish with St Perter's Freshford, and St Mary's Limpley Stoke. More information on the Parish is contained on the Parish web site http://flshc.co.uk/ The Church has a seating capacity for about 160 people and is set in a beautiful well maintained churchyard on the outskirts of the village. The tower contains a carillon of three bells There is a space set apart towards the back of the Church for small children to occupy themselves during  the services and for providing refreshments. There is a toilet and good disabled access. The History of this charming church is contained elsewhere in this site. For details of the names on the War Memorial click here OFFICERS  Church Wardens E Wordsworth, K Grattage

Services Officers Friends of St John’s Weddings Baby and Toddlers Group

ST JOHN’S CHURCH

SERVICE TIMES IN THE PARISH

Mike and Lindy Taylor

This is an organisation that exists with the objective of bringing together all those in the local community who have an interest in maintaining this ancient Church and wish to help in raising money for this purpose. The Committee that runs it  is a sub-committee to the Main Church Committee and its chariman, Elizabeth Wordsworth, is appointed by it.  The Friend's Committee runs its own programmne of events (see diary of events) and decides how the money raised is to be used.  Any projects proposed must be agreed by the Main Church Committee.                                                                 

All services are taken by Revd Mike Taylor unles specified otherwise MARCH Sunday 5th 1030 St John’s Morning Service Sunday 12th 1030 Old Bakery Morning Communion Sunday 19th - Mothering Sunday 1030 St Mary’s Morning Service   4.00 pm St John’s afternoon for fun and friendship Sunday 26th 1030 Old Bakery Morning Service or St Peters APRIL Sunday 2nd - Palm Sunday 1030 St John’s Morning Service with HC  

WEDDINGS Because   of   its   picturesque   setting   and   good   facilities   the   church   is   a   popular   venue   for   weddings.   The   current   fees   and charges   (2020)   are:   Statutory   fees   £508,   Organist   £115,   Bells   £45,   Pew   candles   £35,   Heating   (if   required)   £55.   These are   reviewed   annually.   Any   enquiries   to   the   Parish   Administrator   01225   720347.   The   nearby   Homeward   Park   Hotel   can provide a vene for receptions.

RE-WILDING CHURCHYARD ALLOWING GRASSES TO GROW We’ve decided to let part of St John’s churchyard grow wild, to create more of a haven for nature in Hinton Charterhouse. A strip of grass along the eastern end of the church will not be mown this year, to see what grows if nature is left to its own devices. A further section from the boundary wall at the top which runs along the back side of the houses will also remain un-mown.We want to encourage more wild grasses and wild flowers to grow in the churchyard which are loved by bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. It is hoped re-wilding some of the grounds might also create a habitat for other wildlife. Last September, children planted seeds in a border along the south side of the church. The grass decided to regrow and overtake a bit, but we are still tending the area, and waiting to see whether any native flowers pop up. In the meantime, we are following a Bath and Wells Diocese-wide initiative to create more nature-friendly churchyards. WILDER CHURCHES SCHEME The scheme, called Wilder Churches, is a partnership between Somerset Wildlife Trust and the Diocese which is supporting communities to get to know the wildlife in their local churchyards. Churchyards are often the oldest enclosed piece of land in a parish and many still support a rich variety of wildflowers and wildlife, having remained unscathed from the widespread loss of habitats seen in the countryside due to changing land management practices. The diocese is providing regular online training sessions to anyone interested in supporting their local church create a better habitat for wildlife. In Hinton, we decided to follow a recommendation to allow grass to grow in an area of the churchyard to see whether there are native wild plants there which may come up naturally. Pippa Rayner, of Somerset Wildlife Trust, said: “Initially, we will encourage people to simply find out what wildlife their local churchyard already has, as well as talking to everyone already involved in its management. Through the ongoing online training, we will then support communities to identify ways they could help wildlife in their local churchyard, as well as to communicate their ideas, consult others and come up with a plan that works for the church, wildlife and the community.” The Nature Chain article in June’s magazine reported on ‘No Mow May’ and gave details of how leaving part of your grass to grow over the summer can encourage more natural species back into gardens and the local environment. And several local people are already allowing part of their gardens to ‘go wild’. The next step will be to do a survey of plants and living creatures in the churchyard to see whether there is more we can do to help them thrive.A survey of the plants and insects has already taken place at St Peter’s churchyard in Freshford, with some interesting findings by thise who took part> more updates will be provided as we have them We are a friendly group who love to walk! We meet monthly on a Wednesday at 9.30 for walks of between 4-7 miles with an optional lunch. Our next walk is on the 11th of May, then on the 8th June.

TEA AND CHAT Wednesday afternoons at the OLD BAKERY 2.30 TO 4.30 pm. Everyone is very welcome

LADIES WALKING GROUP