The benefice of the Piddle Valley, Cheselbourne, Hilton and Melcombe Horsey lies in the heart of rural Dorset.
It comprises the parishes of Alton Pancras, Cheselbourne, Hilton, Melcombe Horsey, Piddlehinton and Piddletrenthide. Included in these parishes are the communities at Ansty, Higher Ansty, Higher Melcombe, Melcombe Bingham, Muston, Plush and White Lackington.
Find out more about the parishes and service schedules at the Benefice web site.
Latest Church services
With the departure of The Very Revd. Stephen Waine in June 2026 (see below), we are awaiting new service plans for the three Piddle Valley churches.
St Mary’s Church, Piddlehinton:
Every second Sunday of each month there will be a service of Morning Prayer at 11:00am.
Every third Sunday of each month there will be a Eucharist Service at 11:00am.
Contact Andrew Rennison. Tel 07565 426208. Email pccpiddlehinton@gmail.com
All Saints Church, Piddletrenthide
Every First Sunday Mattins at 11am
Every Second Sunday Holy Communion at 9:30am
Every Fourth Sunday Holy Communion at 11am
Contact: Mick Sharp. Tel 01300 348977. Email micksharp01@aol.com, or
Richard Kay. Tel 07774 143810. Email richardkay7564@gmail.com
Church flowers at Piddlehinton
We always welcome new people to help us with the lovely church flower arrangements.
Contact Susie Harland for more information.
No experience necessary!
Vicar’s move
Our former Vicar: The Very Revd.Stephen Waine
Alan Neades writes: Sunday 31 May saw the farewell service of our Vicar, the Very Rev’d Stephen Waine, who had been with us for just three years having previously been the Dean of Chichester Cathedral.
He said he had expected to be with us until his retirement in three years’ time but he received a request from the Bishop of Exeter to take on the role of Interim Dean at Exeter Cathedral. This was a complete surprise to him and not something he had looked for.
When a dean leaves a cathedral, the bishop is required to appoint an Interim Dean to see the Cathedral through the vacancy until the new Dean takes up his post, and this is the role which the Bishop of Exeter has asked him to take on. The current Dean retires in July, and so he and Lizzie will move to Exeter in June to get settled in and to have a hand-over period. While it is unfortunate for us, it is perfectly understandable that, in view of his previous experience, he should be asked to fulfil this role.
The necessary preparations to recruit a replacement for Stephen are underway, but may take some time, In the meanwhile, the churchwardens and PCCs of all six benefice churches will do their utmost to ensure that services continue to be held and baptisms, weddings and funerals available as required. This may not be exactly as before, but changes will be advertised on this site.
We have greatly appreciated Stephen’s ministry, and that of his wife Lizzie, and are most sorry to see them go, but we wish them every blessing in their new situation.
