JEDBURGH and OXNAM PARISH linked with ALE and TEVIOT PARISH

PARISH PROFILE

JEDBURGH and OXNAM PARISH linked with ALE and TEVIOT PARISH

Set in the green rolling hills and countryside of the Scottish Borders, the linked parishes of Jedburgh & Oxnam and Ale & Teviot serve a combination of urban and rural communities straddling the A68, a main artery to Edinburgh – the Gateway to Scotland. Steeped in history from Neolithic times, and with evidence of a Christian witness in the area since the arrival of the Celtic Christianity in the eighth century, the communities have become close-knit, resilient, competitive and motivated to protect their character. These parishes extend from Ashkirk in the West to Oxnam in the East and to the Border in the South and lie roughly equidistant between Edinburgh, Newcastle and Carlisle. Reflecting the concept of ‘Gateway to Scotland,’ we see our Churches as offering an open door to Christ in the Borders. While we are confronted by the universal challenges facing the church, we believe that there are opportunities to address these, conferred not least by the community integration of the centres of worship in the rural areas. We seek a modern, Spirit-led and Christcentred ministry, able to equip and motivate the congregation in order to take the gospel to our varied communities in appropriate and effective ways. It is important to us that a personal relationship with Jesus is seen as relevant and vital in people’s lives. We have been blessed with motivated elders and members of the congregations who have effectively worked together and would be immediately available to a new minister.

The Vacancy in its present form arises from the reorganisation of parishes, namely, the Union of Jedburgh and Oxnam and the Linkage with the parish of Ale & Teviot. These took place in 2024. All the charges involved operate on the basis of a Unitary Constitution and have been vacant for a number of years.

COMMUNITY PROFILE (see online information also)

Jedburgh has a population of around 4000. It is an ancient royal burgh with a long and fascinating history of which the community is very proud and which it celebrates enthusiastically. The town is on the A68 which links Edinburgh (48miles) to Northumbria and Newcastle (60 miles). Rail (at Tweedbank,15 miles) and Bus links are available.

Most industry in Jedburgh is now in small industrial and commercial units, with two larger factories. Tourism is a major factor in the economy. The town provides key services to the adjoining rural communities.

Oxnam is made up of scattered farming communities with a small village hub. Its population numbers roughly 300 and is a mix of local families and a significant proportion of newcomers to the area, many with international professional backgrounds.

Ancrum has a population of 392, Lilliesleaf/ Ashkirk/ Midlem 1000, and Nisbet/ Crailing/ Eckford 579.

In terms of education, there is one school in the parish of Jedburgh & Oxnam, which is a new intergenerational learning campus: Jedburgh Grammar Campus. After P5, Ancrum pupils head to this school, while Lilliesleaf pupils go on to Selkirk High School.

Medical services are provided at Jedburgh Health Centre, where there is a GP practice of 3 doctors, along with access to all NHS community health specialisms. There are two dental practices, two pharmacies and an optician in Jedburgh. Two community hospitals are located in Hawick and Kelso and Borders General Hospital is at Melrose.

In a community with an ageing population, care of the elderly is a priority. The town has a Care Home, which also houses a community RVS Day-Centre. There is one “sheltered” residential facility 1 in the town and a number of other care facilities situated within a few miles. There is sheltered accommodation in Ancrum and Knowesouth Nursing Home is on the other side of the River Teviot.

Sport is an important part of the life and leisure of the area and there are a number of sporting facilities and important sporting events throughout the year. Jedburgh has many thriving clubs and organisations and important community celebrations and is famous for its annual Hand Ba’ event.

The community in Oxnam has a lively social calendar, including activities initiated by the church (eg Choir, Library Café, Film Nights, Walking Group, Harvest Suppers) as well as others (eg OWLS (Oxnam Water Ladies Society), pantomime and concerts) initiated by community. The community and the church are closely integrated and each supports the other.

As local authority services are withdrawn in a number of areas, volunteering is a key and essential part of local life in the community.

Jedburgh and Oxnam serves two types of community, one urban (Jedburgh) and one rural, (Oxnam and the former parish of Edgerston), stretching as far as the border with England (10 miles from Jedburgh). The distance between the centres of the communities is 4 miles and there are strong links between the two.

Ale and Teviot includes the four parishes of Ancrum, Crailing, Eckford and Lilliesleaf which extend from Ashkirk in the west to Eckford in the east. Each parish has a very strong community. Ancrum’s hub is the Ancrum Pantry. Ancrum hosts a Fete each year, welcomes the Jethart Callant in July and has a popular Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night. There is still a pub in Ancrum, a popular Bowling Club and “Art at Ancrum” is a popular festival each May. Lilliesleaf boasts a pub and garage and hosts a summer music festival. Both Ancrum and Lilliesleaf have Football Clubs which include youth sections and all have successful village hall communities.

In summary, centred in these strong communities, the churches have small but committed cores of members, but need leadership, and help to grow the congregations, especially with young people.

ALE AND TEVIOT PARISH CHURCH

COMMUNION ROLL

At Ale and Teviot the Congregation Roll stands at 288 (78 ‘primary’ members, 204 on the Supplementary Roll, and 6 adherents). The age profile is predominantly over 65. No young people have joined the church in the last five years. Attendance at Sunday services is usually 15-20 at Ancrum and 5-15 at Crailing and Lilliesleaf.

GOVERNANCE

Ale and Teviot has a Kirk Session of 23 Elders, 13 men and 10 women (5 Elders are inactive). There is an acting Session Clerk, a Treasurer, Fabric Convenor/Clerk of Works (who is also Church Officer for Lilliesleaf), an assistant Fabric Convenor and a Safeguarding Officer. Elders each have a designated district, but this requires some reorganisation.

WORSHIP LIFE

Ancrum Services are held currently at 10am, every Sunday, except the 2nd Sunday of each month when the service takes place at Crailing at 10am. Services are held at 11.30 at Lilliesleaf on 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th Sundays of the month.

Ancrum has a laptop and a large-screen TV with which to run services. Two electronic hymnals have been purchased for use in Lilliesleaf and Crailing. All three churches have large print hymn books and NIV Bibles. There are no organists.

In Ale and Teviot, at least three members of the congregations have completed the Church of Scotland “Leading Worship” courses, and other members willingly help with services. With no Minister or Locum, the services are led by the Worship Team and the Interim Moderator on a rota system.

At Ale and Teviot there have been 4 Baptisms, 11 marriages and 12 funerals in the last 5 years.

OUTREACH

All the churches have very close links to local primary schools, including the provision of bibles to leavers going on to secondary. A Friday Club for children was held in Ancrum up to Covid. Ancrum School uses the Church for a Nativity venue and every summer, a Boys’ Brigade Company from Dundee camp on the football pitch and attend the service at Ancrum.

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE

At Ale and Teviot, in 2023, there was a surplus of £3384 and in 2024 this grew to £9127. The net Giving to Grow contribution for 2024 was £4879, because of the Vacancy. However, because the General Assembly in 2024 abolished vacancy allowances, the Giving to Grow contribution has soared to a barely affordable £17391.

CHURCHES, MANSE AND HALLS

Churches

There has been a church at Ancrum since the 11th century.

Ancrum Kirk is a red sandstone building which was opened in 1891, replacing the previous church of 1762 (the remains of the old church are in the Kirkyard close to the Ale Water, about a quarter of a mile west of the village, where the cemetery is located). A meeting room was developed below the gallery which includes a small kitchen. There is disabled access and a toilet.

Crailing Kirk was built in 1754, and the apse added in 1892. With its Laird’s Loft, altar and windows, it is a beautiful church which sadly has been designated for closure by the Presbytery.

Eckford Church, which has a rich history, was closed in 2006 and is now privately owned.

Lilliesleaf Church was built in 1771 and restored in 1883 with an apse added in 1910. There is a stone font thought to date from the 14th Century. It has been linked to Ancrum since 1994 but in fact the ties through the Bishop of Glasgow go back to the 12th Century. Recent excavations have uncovered the remains of the Bishop of Glasgow’s palace at Mantle Walls at Ancrum.

Manse

Ale and Teviot Manse is situated in the Glebe at Ancrum and is currently let.

Halls

Ancrum, Crailing, Eckford and Lilliesleaf each has a village hall, although none is owned by the church. They provide a focal point for the villages.

There is also a gardener employed at Ancrum.

Web Links:

www.Aleandteviot.org.uk

www.facebook.com/Aleandteviotchurches/

Where are we?

Ale and Teviot United Church is situated in the Scottish Borders a short distance North of the town of Jedburgh.

The extended parish combines the original parishes of Eckford, Crailing, Nisbet, Ancrum and Lilliesleaf. These are typical Borders rural communities, set in lovely surroundings along the River Teviot to the east and the Ale Water to the west.

Ancrum, is 52 miles from Edinburgh airport and 55 miles from Newcastle airport. From Eckford in the east to Lilliesleaf in the west is about 14 miles with Ancrum being midway between them.

The nearest town, Jedburgh, has one bank, a variety of shops (one with a post office), a Co-op supermarket that was recently refurbished and the Jedburgh and Edinburgh Woollen mill shops. Jedburgh Grammar Campus opened in 2020 and provides education from nursery to sixth year secondary. There are also community and sports facilities. Among the many tourist attractions of a historical nature are the Abbey, the Castle Jail and Mary, Queen of Scots’ House. A swimming pool and fitness centre, a health centre, a bowling Club and green, and a selection of cafés and restaurants are among the town’s assets. The town also has a famous rugby ground and there are rugby and football teams.

What are we?

The charge consists of four parishes, Ancrum, Crailing, Eckford and Lilliesleaf, running roughly northwest to southeast.

Ancrum was at the extreme south-east of the lands of the Bishop of Glasgow and it is thought that the site of his palace was Mantle Walls at the east end of the village. Due to its position near the Border, the village was defended by five tower houses of which little remains. The focal point of the village is the triangular Green on which stands an ancient market cross.

The church is a red sandstone building which was opened in 1890 replacing the previous church of 1762. The remains of the old church are in the kirkyard close to the Ale Water, about a quarter mile west of the village, where the cemetery is also located.

Crailing parish lies to the south east of Ancrum parish and was administered by the Abbey of Jedburgh from the thirteenth century. The parish consists of the union of the three small parishes Crailing, Nisbet and Spital in 1606.

The present Crailing Kirk was built in 1754 and the apse was added in 1892 when the east gallery was replaced. With its original Laird’s Loft, its altar and windows, the church is indeed beautiful.

The parish was united with Eckford in 1977 and then became a linked charge with Ancrum and Lilliesleaf in 1999. With the union in 2004, the linkage became Ale and Teviot United Church.

Crailing Kirk has been designated for closure by the Presbytery.

Eckford parish lies to the east of Crailing and was also administered by the Abbey of Jedburgh from the thirteenth century. Conventicles were held in the area and in the parish Richard Cameron, the Covenanting leader, received his licence to preach. The church was built in 1668 but was closed in 2006. It is now privately owned.

Lilliesleaf parish was administered by the Bishop of Glasgow from the twelfth century. Lilliesleaf is a very old village of ribbon development with the church at the east end. Covenanters often held Conventicles in the area.

The church was built in 1771 and restored in 1883 and 1910 when the apse was added. The church replaced an earlier church nearby. There is a stone font thought to date from the early fourteenth century and a stone coffin for a child.

Lilliesleaf had been linked to Bowden and Ashkirk but in 1994 this linkage was severed and Lilliesleaf was linked to Ancrum.

Who are we?

ANCRUM

Ancrum is situated in the centre of the parish and is only a quarter mile from the A68, a main north-south road. It has a long history with the remains of the Palace of the Bishop of Glasgow being visible to geophysics ground radar to the east, and to the north an iron-age hill fort. There has been a church in Ancrum from about the 11^th century. The nearby graveyard has the remains of the church which was built in 1762 and which was turned into a ‘romantic ruin’ when the present.

church was built in 1890. The graveyard contains an early medieval hogback stone which is one of very few surviving in the Borders area.

The present Ancrum Church was renovated in 2009. The two side aisles were removed to make way for a central aisle; a few rows of pews were replaced with chairs, enabling an increase in the flexibility of use. The organ was moved to the left transept and the choir pews were removed completely to give a clear platform area.

The area of the church below the gallery was walled in and made into a meeting room with a small “kitchen” area. There are several beautiful stained glass windows and a special window dedicated to the Professor of Physiology at Edinburgh University. There is disabled access and a small toilet. The modern Manse, in the adjoining Glebe, is no more than 200 yards from the church.

The village is situated around a triangular green on which there is situated one of the few relatively complete market crosses. The green also has at its edge a war memorial dedicated to the fallen of both wars. Surrounding the green are houses of varying age, some dating back several centuries. The village has expanded with a development of houses on Myrescroft and more recently on the Duke‘s Field immediately to the south. These developments have significantly increased the population of the village.

Ancrum has a number of facilities which make it a popular place to live. There is a thriving village school for primary children from P1 to P5. For P6 and P7, the children are transported to Jedburgh. There is a well maintained children’s playpark. The village has fortunately retained its well-stocked store which has a post office attached two days weekly. There is a pub and restaurant which is very popular with walkers and anglers. The village hall, directly opposite the church, was refurbished with a lottery grant and is available to a number of organisations to hold meetings. There is a bus service to and from Jedburgh and Edinburgh as well as connections to other Border towns. More recently the Borders Railway has been opened providing a half hourly train service to Edinburgh from Tweedbank, close to Galashiels.

There are many activities throughout the year which are enjoyed by villagers and visitors. There is the “Art in Ancrum” weekend each year at which local artists display their work which attracts visitors from throughout Scotland. The well maintained bowling green attracts regular competitions and is a great asset to the village. Continuing the sports theme, there is the Ancrum Football Club with its playing field and club facilities next to the A68. Each summer, at the beginning of July, a Boys’ Brigade group from Dundee camp on the football field and attend the Sunday morning service in the church. There are several car boot sales held on the football field throughout the year.

There is an active gardening group that organises an Open Gardens day each year associated with a Scarecrow competition (much enjoyed by the children of the village). There is an annual Fete which has games and competitions for the local children. As part of the Jedburgh Festival, the Callant and his followers ride out to the village from Jedburgh accompanied by the Jedburgh Silver Band – a delightful and very popular event Among other groups active in the village are the Ancrum and District Heritage Society, a Stargazing group, and a football club. As in other local villages there is an annual Bonfire night with a remarkable fireworks display. All these activities make Ancrum a lively place in which to live.

In the surrounding area there are a number of lovely walks for all degrees of fitness. The visitor centre at Harestanes is approximately a mile to the east. In addition to a café this also houses a number of craft outlets and provides pleasant walks and a childrens’ adventure playground.

CRAILING, ECKFORD and NISBET

Crailing is a small, friendly village about 5 miles to the east of Ancrum. The building that used to be the Free Church of Scotland from 1900 to 1929 is the Lothian Hall. It is used for social gatherings such as coffee mornings, stick dressing and wood turning. Not far from Crailing there is the Caddy Mann Restaurant with a golf range next to it.

The landscape around Crailing is beautiful – rich farmland, the River Teviot valley, hills, forest and woodland. One famous landmark nearby is Penielheugh. The Waterloo Monument, standing 150 feet high on the top of the hill, was constructed between 1817 and 1824. Many of the farms and woodlands are part of the Lothian Estates and Lord Lothian lives in nearby Monteviot House.

There is plenty of scope for outdoor activities – hunting, shooting, fishing, cycling and walking. There is the “Jubilee Path” – a 12.5 mile circular route that links the three villages of Crailing, Eckford and Nisbet.

As with most of the Borders, there is much history associated with the surroundings. Crailing House, built in 1803, is on a site where earlier there stood a church and burial ground. It is also possible that the Cranston family castle was nearby, but no remains have ever been found. Part of the burial ground, with the Cranston graves, is still visible. The Cranston land became part of the Lothian Estates, but the House is privately owned.

Eckford village is approximately 5 miles from Kelso and is again a mixture of old and new houses. It is an attractive village with an active community. The village hall, built in 1930, is the venue for many activities including plays, concerts, crafts, badminton and table tennis.

The Jubilee Path officially starts and ends in Eckford and there is a wealth of scenery, flora and fauna to see and photograph. The village is surrounded by farmland and woodlands. Many of the local people are employed in agriculture, forestry and associated trades.

Eckford Church, sitting on a grassy knoll overlooking the Teviot, is now privately owned, and is a historic building. The surrounding graveyard has a Mort-House at one corner where guards would keep watch for grave robbers. They were no doubt armed with flintlocks and a flagon or three of whisky to keep them warm through the cold winter nights!

Nisbet is another village steeped in history. Samuel Rutherford was born there in 1600. Many years later he was appointed Professor of Divinity at St Andrews University where he eventually became Rector.

Recently, modern houses have been built, adding to the existing stock of traditional cottages and houses. Older buildings are still being converted and updated. The community was largely a farming one, and agriculture is still an important employer.

The River Teviot runs close by the village and is popular for its walks and the brown trout, grayling, salmon and seatrout fishing. The village did have a church, but very little of it remains now, other than the graveyard. Once the church closed, the parishioners had to pay a boatman one old penny each to be rowed across the river in a fishing skiff to attend Crailing Kirk. The boatman’s cottage is still there, but of course a bridge was built to allow free access to Crailing.

About a mile from Nisbet, towards Ancrum, there is the Monteviot estate, house and gardens and the Harestanes Centre with its walks, children’s play area, crafts courtyard, shop, and café. Across the road there is also a lovely walled garden with its Woodside garden centre and restaurant. St Cuthbert’s Way passes through Monteviot Estate and close to Woodside. The paths to Penielheugh and the Waterloo monument are close by.

LILLIESLEAF

Lilliesleaf, seven miles from the nearest town, Selkirk, is set in beautiful countryside of rolling fields and woodlands, with the Ale Water running to the north of the village and to the south a wetland called “The Moss”. The earliest known record of the village dates back to about 1116. It has a variety of old cottages and houses as well as some modern homes. With a population of around 300, there is a pub – the Cross Keys – and a Primary School that serves the village and the many outlying farms and settlements. It takes pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 7. The Village Hall is well used for a variety of functions and activities. The picturesque church, with its historic pipe organ, is on the road out of the village to the East. Lilliesleaf is a quiet and peaceful place with a fascinating history and a strong community spirit – making it a pleasant and popular village in which to live.

The Fine Detail

Due to the illness and death of the minister close to retirement, the charge is at present vacant. With the imminent reorganisation of the presbyteries and the redistribution of ministers, we are no longer free to call a minister.

The congregations, through the Kirk Session, made the decision not “to depart from the historic and current practice in order to permit the ordination, induction or appointment of a minister or a deacon who is in a civil partnership or same sex marriage”.

THE CHARGE AND CONGREGATIONS

The congregations have unity and a core of people who attend the services regularly. They are generous, warm and friendly. As with any congregation, they seek good teaching to strengthen their faith and sensitive pastoral support. In common with many churches around the country, the main challenges are to reach out within the communities to raise awareness of the need for and importance of a spiritual dimension in people’s lives, to increase membership and attendance and to reach out to the younger generations and their children. There is a glowing core of spirituality within the congregation that will never be extinguished.

The Communion Roll at present stands at about 320, with average weekly church attendances of around 20 at Ancrum and 10 to 15 at Crailing and Lilliesleaf. Attendances vary considerably at certain times of the year. The age profile is predominantly over 60 but there are some younger attendees. The special Christmas services are particularly well attended by all ages. In the last five years no people have joined the church.

A Local Church Review was last done in 2010. The main points were as follows:

“Commend the Session for hard work and diligence.

Commend stewardship and the giving of time and talents to other charities.

Commend new use of space in Ancrum church, and commend the fabric convenor for masterminding and superintending the refurbishment of the churches and manse.

Encourage the church to continue to engage in the work of the wider church.

Encourage the church to find new ways of bringing in young people.

Encourage the church to continue to look at new practices for stewardship.

Encourage ongoing dialogue with colleagues and other denominations.”

The present charge operates on a unitary constitution.

The Kirk Session has 21 elders, 10 of whom are female. The majority are over the age of 60. Elders were last ordained in 2015. Two elders left the membership of the church, a third elder died early in 2018 and another in 2019.

THE COMMUNITY PROFILE

The charge is a rural one and the congregations are mainly in villages. Ancrum and Lilliesleaf both have primary schools. In Ancrum, the school covers Primary 1 to Primary 5, while in Lilliesleaf it provides for primary 1 to primary 7. There are village halls in Ancrum, Crailing, Eckford and Lilliesleaf. There is a Health Centre in Jedburgh and the nearest Hospital is the Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

The Ale & Teviot minister is the chaplain to the two primary schools, with links to Selkirk High School and Jedburgh Grammar Campus, those being the two secondary schools to which the primary children are promoted. The links with the Primary schools were strengthened by the Locum minister we had until early 2019. The Kirk Session is keen to continue to maintain these links on a regular basis. However, the Covid-19 restrictions have sadly cut these links dramatically.

In socio-economic grade terms the profile is A, B, C1, C2, D and E.