Church Services

1st Sunday 11.00 Morning Prayer
2nd, 4th Sunday 11.00 Holy Communion
3rd Sunday 11.00 Matins
5th Sunday Benefice Service (see notices)
 
 
Church Information:
Lydford Church is dedicated to St Petroc, an itinerant Welsh monk who was preaching in the West Country in the 6th Century. The current building is thought to be situated where St Petroc sheltered during his stays in this area.n the ancient West Devonshire village of Lydford, St Petrock’s (sometimes pronounced ‘Petroc’) is a Norman church but is founded on an earlier settlement. A small timber church probably stood on the site, built about 650AD. It was dedicated in honour of St. Petroc, a 6th century Celtic missionary who came from Wales (via Ireland) and brought the Gospel to many parts of Devon and Cornwall. The timber church was probably burnt down by Danish raiders in 997. It was rebuilt in Norman times, enlarged in the 13th century, and in the 15th century the tower and the south aisle were added.

Notable features of the church include the Saxon or early Norman Font, made of Hurdwick stone, the pews with their fine carved bench-ends with figures representing the Prophets, Martyrs and Saints of the Holy Church, border ornamentation based on the Benedicite: ‘All the works of the Lord’, and portraying the flora and fauna of the West Country. The Watchmaker’s Tomb (now sited inside the church to prevent further damage from the elements) bears a unique epitaph describing George Routleigh as if he were a clock himself.
 
Safeguarding Policy for Lydford PCC


The following policy statement was agreed at the PCC meeting held on 12.09.2017

‘As members of the PCC we commit our church community to the support, nurture, protection and safeguarding of all, especially the young and vulnerable. We recognise that our work with children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of the whole church community. We are fully committed to acting within current legislation, guidance, national frameworks and the Diocesan Safeguarding procedures. We will also act in an open, transparent and accountable way in working in partnership with the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Children and Adult Social Care Services, the Police, Probation Services and other agencies to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. We welcome staff and volunteers who are recruited in accordance with House of Bishops’ Interim Guidelines on Safer Recruitment 2013. This means we will ensure that those who are employed or who volunteer to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults are suitable for the role, that they know what the role entails and that they are supported in carrying it out.’

• The PCC offers a range of activities and services for the community. This, therefore, means there are a range of individuals engaging in these opportunities. The PCC must ensure that all involved are vigilant that vulnerable persons are looked after and concerns reported in the appropriate manner.

• In accordance with the latest legal requirements and national church guidance we undertake to exercise proper care in the selection, appointment, training and support of those working in both paid and voluntary positions with children or vulnerable adults, including the use of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosures and making appropriate referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service.


• All staff and volunteers who work with vulnerable peoplehave the opportunity to take up the provision of Diocese safeguarding training.

• As part of the PCC local safeguarding training we have discussed and practiced responding in an appropriate and timely way. This has involved some scenario planning for situations when, for example,
o a child/vulnerable adult may disclose something that has upset or harmed them
– someone else might report something that a child/vulnerable adult has told them, or that they believe that a child/vulnerable adult has been or is being harmed
– a child/vulnerable adult might show signs of physical injury for which there appears to be no explanation
– a child/vulnerable adult behaviour may suggest he or she is being abused
– the behaviour or attitude of someone towards a child/vulnerable adult may cause concern
– a child demonstrates worrying behaviour towards other children.

• If you have a Safeguarding concern surrounding a person involved with Lydford Parish Church please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer:
• Mary Barkell 01822 820272; The Devon Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 155 1071 or the NSPCC. Contact them via the website, https://www.nspcc.org.uk/, via email help@nspcc.org.ukOr phone 0808 800 5000. If you think an individual is in immediate risk of hard please contact the Police on 999.

• If there is a concern the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser will be contacted in a timely manner. We will also contact other organisations, these include but are not limited to:
– the parish’s insurer
– Disclosure and Barring Service
– Charity Commissioners

• The PCC is committed to co-operate fully with the Diocese and appropriate statutory agencies during any investigation into abuse, including when allegations are made against a member of the church community

• We will seek to offer pastoral care and support, including supervision and referral to the proper authorities, to any member of our church community known to have offended against a child, young person or vulnerable adult.

• Identification of the people within the PCC and the parish who hold formal responsibilities for safeguarding (such as safeguarding representatives, people who are advertised as being safe to report a concern to, etc), with a summary of their responsibilities.


This policy will be reviewed on …Sept 2019