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June 2023 June 2023

LOCAL HEROES BISHOP’S LETTER
A new series with interviews from Janey Gordon
One year ago, I became your bishop with that
great service in the cathedral. It has been the
In Bere Regis there are a number of people who give their time and energies to fastest year in many ways, with changes coming at
support and enrich the local community and individuals who live here. They us all with a post-pandemic pace that has
contribute freely to the village and are our ‘Local Heroes’. somewhat stunned us all. Changing prime ministers
and monarchs, the cost-of-living challenges and
The parish magazine is running a short series about some of these people to find international events moving faster than ever – just
out a little more about them, how they came to live in the village, what they do at the point when we ought to be reflecting on all
for it and, also, their own personal interests. that has happened to us. It’s been an ‘interesting’
It was suggested that I spoke to Kim Benjafield. I wondered how long she had time to become a diocesan bishop!
been associated with the village? I’m often asked if I’m enjoying it. There is no
doubting the pace and the pace of change, but

Janey: Kim, when did you come to Bere Regis? the answer is a certain yes – but – mostly because
this is the Diocese of Salisbury. I have visited as
Kim: My family lived in Bloxworth where I was born. Actually, I was delivered by the many places as possible and what is clear is that the church is all about the local,
local GP, Dr Benjafield, who later became my father-in-law! I moved to Bere Regis and the bishop (and those assisting in this co-ordinating ministry) are there to hold
when I got married and I have lived here ever since. more than one locality together. We are truly blessed here with our rural/urban
mix, with coast and countryside, with Islands and ‘thin’ places. In being blessed, it
In 1989 my dad-in-law suggested I got involved with the scouts and I trained as a is how we respond that makes the difference. We have a chance to show this
Cub and Beaver leader and organised and ran both groups for many years. I am when the Archbishop of Canterbury comes to us this month.
no longer a leader but I always go along to the Borneo breakfasts every month.
Later this year, I am organising a reunion of Scout, Cub and Beaver leaders past Much of my time, with the contribution of so many in the diocese, has been the
and present. I am planning an afternoon tea. preparation of our new Diocesan Vision and Strategy – our plan for that co-
ordination of our common life under God as disciples. All the detail to come, will
I have been involved in all sorts of things in the village. When I was fourteen, I was live under the title Making Jesus Known. For all our differences in each locality, if
secretary of the local darts team! More recently, I was captain of the Bloxworth we are not to be about Making Jesus Known, then I’m not sure what we are
crib team, but unfortunately, we had our last game in March 2020, when the about. If we are all doing that, then yes, I’m really enjoying it!
pandemic struck. Things are still starting up again, so it would be good to get the
crib team going once more. +Stephen Sarum
At the moment, I organise the Bere Regis Community Bus outings, drivers and
passengers. A friend and I go on bus trips ourselves with a commercial company
and I sometimes get ideas from them, like Magical Mystery tours and stopping at
more than one place in a day. REMINDER
Our Bere Regis Community Bus outings are well advertised and have become so
popular we have to restrict bookings to two per person at a time, to make sure To all secretaries and organisers of village clubs and events
everyone gets a chance to go on a trip. We try to keep the prices down. Usually,
if the trip is around the Dorchester area it is £10 per person and £12 if it is further The Dates for your Diary section at the back of the magazine is looking a bit ‘thin’.
afield. We have two coming up in June. On Tuesday 6 June we are off to If you have forthcoming meetings or events, do please let me have the relevant
Sidmouth and on Wednesday 21 June when we are going to the New Forest. The information so that this can be updated. It is particularly useful so that others know
trips are particularly enjoyed by single people and anyone who doesn’t drive. to avoid dates which are already booked up.
They are very sociable!

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