• Apologies for the gap in bringing you the news from our villages. We have been visiting our little family who have relocated to Burgundy.
  • Very sadly, this month sees the official retirement of Rev. Pam Thomas from our parish.

Pam has been Priest in Charge of the joint benefice of Abbotsbury, Portesham and Langton Herring since July 1997.

We all thought that she would take this opportunity to put her feet up, having reached that magic age and after what cannot have been an easy tour of duty taking care of three very different parishes.

But no, she has been called and will continue her ministry for a bit longer and will be moving to Kentisbeare near Honiton as a House for Duty priest in November.

Her final service for the benefice will take place in St Nicholas Church, Abbotsbury on Sunday, October 19th at 10.30am.

This will be followed by a faith lunch in Portesham village hall at 12.30. Guests are asked to bring a small plate of finger food for the buffet.

There will be an official Farewell and Presentation to Pam at 2.30pm in the village hall followed by a cream tea.

Those who would like to attend the presentation are requested to contact Hilary Morley on 01305 871554 or any of the other churchwardens by Oct. 14th for catering purposes.

Pam will be much missed. She is a marvellous parish and hospital visitor, always there in a crisis and to give comfort.

Her sense of humour, sincerity and grounded faith has endeared her to the community.

  • One of Pam's most recent official duties was to perform the marriage ceremony of Tris Leaning and Nada Shirley in St Nicholas Church in early September. A blessing up at St Catherine's chapel attended by about 60 guests and followed this.

The day was wild and windy with blustery winds and heavy showers.

The little bridesmaids and guests all gathered up at the chapel that had been beautifully decorated for the occasion for the blessing.

Holding onto hats and dresses they all waited eagerly for the newly weds to arrive.

A plank was placed across the big puddle at the entrance to the chapel to save Nada's lovely dress and the ceremony was all completed just before the rain set in for the rest of the day.