Welcome to the Glaven Valley Benefice
sharing God’s love in our communities…
Welcome to the website for the Glaven Valley Benefice in North Norfolk. We are a group of five, beautiful Anglican churches working together in the villages of Blakeney, Cley, Glandford, Letheringsett and Wiveton.
We are a friendly, welcoming and inclusive community. We believe that the love of God in Jesus Christ is for everyone, of all ages and backgrounds, to receive and experience. So we offer a warm welcome to all – both residents and visitors – and we provide services to suit various styles of worship, along with many groups, activities and events. The five parishes work closely and cooperatively together, and there is a great sense of fellowship, friendship and support across the Benefice.
The What’s On tab will give you up-to-date listings of all our services and events.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions.
If you’re a regular visitor to the site you may need to refresh pages as you visit them to be sure you’re on the most up-to-date version!
Browse our site and come and see us soon!
Services for Holy Week & Easter Day
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 14th-16th April 7pm
Night Prayer (CW) in Glandford Church
Maundy Thursday 17th April 7pm
Agapé Meal followed by a short Holy Communion in Cley Church.
Please note that this is fully booked.
Good Friday 18th April
10.15am Walk of Witness from Blakeney Pastures
11am “Last Words of Love” in Blakeney Church. Also live streamed on YouTube
Easter Day 20th April
6am Sunrise Service on Cley Beach.
8am Holy Communion (BCP) in Cley Church.
9.30am Sung Communion in Blakeney Church. Also live streamed on YouTube
11.15am Holy Communion with hymns in Glandford Church.
11.15am Holy Communion with hymns in Letheringsett Church.
11.15am Family Easter service followed by Holy Communion in Wiveton Church
Prayer for the week
NEWS!
Rev Canon Jonathan Dowman
We are very happy to let you know that The Rev Canon Jonathan Dowman is to be appointed as the new Rector of the Glaven Valley Benefice. A huge thank you to all who played a part in the appointment process.
Jonathan comes from the Leicester diocese where he has been working with rural parishes. He is married to Emma, and they have three children. The whole family came over to visit during the selection process and are delighted to be coming here.
Jonathan will be instituted by the Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Rev Graham Usher and inducted by the Archdeacon of Lynn, The Ven Catherine Dobson, at a service on Monday 28th July at 7pm in Blakeney church.
Five Churches Festival 2025
Once again, all five churches in the Glaven Valley on the North Norfolk coast, each with their own unique architecture and atmosphere, will play host to an exciting and varied programme of music from 9th– 13th July. Featuring musicians of international acclaim alongside established professionals from across Norfolk, the Festival provides five days of high-level concerts with something for everyone. Chamber music, jazz, brass, and an idyllic finale of English music for strings.
The Festival Launch in Wiveton Church on Wednesday July 9th, welcomes the sensational duo of international mezzo-soprano Lotte Betts-Dean and guitarist Dimitris Soukaras.
Their inventive programme ‘Time Stands Still’ brings together the music of John Dowland and Nick Drake and takes us on exciting musical journeys far and wide.
Thursday 10th will feature Norfolk Young Musician 2025, violinist Tristan McCardel in Cley Church followed by ‘Glaven Rhapsody’ in Glandford Church – a specially composed multimedia performance by Ivan McCready (cello) and Rachel Stacy (viola) including live music, film, spoken word and pre-recorded soundscape. The day ends in style with Jazz@Bayfield – outside in the beautiful grounds of Bayfield Hall featuring the legendary jazz singer Barbar Goughwith the Chris Cooper Trio.
Blakeney Church on Friday 11th sees festival artistic directors Brenda Blewett and Chaos Collective in collaboration with renowned international cellist, Robert Cohen.
‘Schh….’ features duos by Schubert, Schumann (Robert and Clara) and the great Schubert String Quintet.
Award winning London Central Brass Quintet will bring their amazing sound and energy to Letheringsett Church on Saturday 12th and then Cley Church hosts the Festival Finale
‘An English Idyll’ on Sunday 13th – music for string ensemble conducted by Stephen Threlfall.
Alongside favourites by Elgar, Britten and Holst, the Festival Finale features BBC Young Musician 2020 woodwind finalist Ewan Millar in Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto.
Full details, online booking and how to become a Festival Friend can be found at fivechurchesfestival.com
Refreshments available.
50% of the monies raised will go to Blakeney Church. RCN: 1210014
Safeguarding
Our full safeguarding details can be found here and at the foot of every page.