THE PARISH OF TITCHMARSH

Titchmarsh has a population of just over 500, with a good spread of young, middle-aged and retired people. It is a prosperous community, though there is a perceived need for affordable housing for first-time buyers of local origin; furthermore, there is no shop or post office, and public transport is described as "poor, and not well supported". There are two public houses which provide natural meeting places for local inhabitants. There is a voluntary aided primary school with a roll of 58 (in addition to 30 children ofpre-school age), and the parish priest is ex officio a foundation governor. A small group of almshouses exists in the village, administered by a charity of which the parish priest is a trustee. The office of the United Church Schools Trust and the United Learning Trust (an independent educational charity) is in the village, and there is a strong connection between the church and the senior management of this trust.

The parish church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, is an imposing fifteenth century building with a particularly striking perpendicular tower (an unusual feature in this county of spires) which dominates the skyline, especially when seen from the main road. A major programme of restoration has been in progress since the early 1990's, including a complete re-roofing, as well as the installation of new heating and sound amplification systems. A scheme has recently been launched for the creation of an extension to the churchyard. There is a service every week, the present monthly pattern consisting of two Eucharists (three when there are five Sundays in the month), one Family Service, and one service of Morning Prayer. Congregations generally vary between 10 and 20, with about 5 children at the Family Service. In 2005 there were five baptisms, three weddings and six funerals in church. Fund-raising and social events include an annual summer rete; a harvest supper; a bam dance; and a number of concerts in church when refreshments are served. In recent years the parish has struggled to pay its share in full, but determined efforts are being made, and the parish certainly meets its proportion of the priest's working expenses.