Issue No 169
Magazine for the Irfon and Wye Valley Churches February 2015
“Rural isn’t just bits of the town in the countryside..!” by Revd Richard Kirlew As I prepare to leave Wales for a group of seven parishes down in deepest Dorset, I think on that quotation and its true meaning. Those absolute words of wisdom were spoken by Simon Prince, the Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police at the launch of the Church in Wales Provincial Group in early June last year. His point was that people do not seem able to comprehend rural individuality and distinctiveness. They just assume that we can carve off lumps of the cities and towns and recreate them in rural areas. Equally it is assumed that everything that happens in the towns automatically just fits neatly in rural areas – a one size fits all. Those of us who live and work in the countryside know different of course! But those comments also set me thinking about how distinctive rural areas are and particularly so here in Wales. One of the things I had to learn quickly when I came to Wales, was the very distinctive Welsh culture and how a lot of that emanates from the wild countryside that represents 82% of Wales – an area that we all know and love. You don’t need me to tell you that things are very different in urban and suburban areas. Over the last six years or so, whilst I have been here in Wales, the things that have been achieved have been quite remarkable. One of the first things I did was to form a Diocesan Rural Life Group to look at various aspects of rural life within the Diocese. These have ranged from trying to place pressure on politicians to look at the Broadband issue with Wales, to starting chaplaincy in the livestock markets. The group have also been very supportive in the form of prayer, for which I am very thankful. Nearly three years ago now I was privileged to be offered the post of Nation Lead on Rural Affairs for the Church in Wales. Whilst this role was not one of being “senior Rural Officer” in Wales, it has been wonderful to work with the other five Officers in the other dioceses. This had a huge involvement rurally and meant that suddenly the church had a voice on bodies such as the Cross Party Rural Group in Welsh Government and also being in a position to negotiate with them. In June 2014 we formed the Provincial
Rural Group also and are now looking at matters of rural and agricultural policy; cutbacks in councils which affect matters such as school closure; helping to shape Church in Wales policy certainly with regard to matters of rurality and the shaping of liturgy and worship. Many other things are on the Agenda as well. I have been humbled over the last six years to see where my ministry as the Rural Officer for the Diocese and also National Lead for Rural Affairs within the Province has led me. The way that I, and more specifically the church, has been accepted and welcomed in so many different quarters – amazing! And so as this is my final piece for Signposts, I feel very pleased that I have been able to change rural life just a wee bit within Wales for the better. My thanks must also go to the members of the rural groups, both diocesan and provincially for all the hard work you have done and will continue to do. And finally, if any of you happen to find yourselves in deepest Dorset, exploring the fantastic countryside there, please drop in for a cuppa!! God Bless. Richard
Kirlew
Bishop’s Officer for Rural Life Swansea & Brecon Diocese National Lead on Rural Affairs - Church in Wales
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