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Knowing God, Showing God, Sharing God |
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THE PARISH OF UPTON St. Mary Magdalene is situated in a highly visible, prominent position at the centre of Torquay. Adjacent to the church is a busy secondary shopping street leading into the town’s main shopping centre. Located in the immediate vicinity are the Town Hall, Court House, Library, Local Government Offices, Connections Office and Job Centre. A few steps away the Torbay Project are building a large purpose built hostel for the homeless which is currently nearing the completion of its first phase. Map of the Parish Another centre for the homeless, Shekinah, is situated in the town centre; both are supported financially as part of our church tithing. A Tesco Express is presently taking ownership of a local site and the church is at the centre of the mayor’s proposed scheme for a town centre hub due to be completed by 2012 with an anticipated 1100 extra jobs. The housing within parish consists of terraced, semis, bungalows, purpose built flats and large Victorian houses many of which have been converted into flats. From the statistical survey of 2001 the number of dwellings in the Tormohun ward (of which the parish of Upton is part) was 5,095 and the population was 10,935 of which 49% male and 51% female. Figures on housing do not seem to be available for Upton but the population was estimated at 5,505. The age range and socio-economic mix are variable, with single parent families some of whom are transient; lower wage earning families; professional and middle class families and couples; and some elderly people living on their own. Upton has been described as being socially deprived and from the “2004 Index of Multiple Deprivation” Upton ranks in the top 10% in the country, although it does not have the employment opportunities or income of many other areas it indicates that there is opportunity for the church to make a real difference in the lives of the people of the parish.
Upton Park There are two parks within the parish in close proximity to the church currently in receipt of government funding and undergoing extensive regeneration; four residential/ retirement homes; two language schools for foreign students; a church school Upton St James Primary; a social club near the school; and two free churches - Upton Vale Baptists and Central Church which is United Reformed and Methodist. TORQUAY TOWN LOCATION & CLIMATE Map showing routes to Torbay Torquay together with two of its neighbouring towns, Paignton & Brixham, make up the Unitary Authority of Torbay. These seaside towns line the sheltered bay, more commonly known as the English Riviera. Torbay is situated on the south coast of Devon and can be reached via the M5 to Exeter and then the A380 to Torquay; coaches arrive at Torquay coach station which is within our parish of Upton. Our nearest airport is sited on the outskirts of Exeter, about an hour away by road. There are also railway stations at Torre, Torquay, Paignton and Newton Abbot. Torbay is usually protected from severe weather by Dartmoor, snow is rare and for it to last more than a day is even rarer. Because of its climate the flora of the area reflects a Mediterranean style with palms and agaves growing in abundance. As a tourist destination Torbay offers a considerable variety of places of interest.
SCHOOLS / COLLEGES
Torbay still retains its grammar schools and has a selection process for secondary school entry. There is comprehensive education at the joint Roman Catholic and Church of England school (St. Cuthbert Mayne). There is also a bi-lateral school (Westlands) and Community Colleges in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. There are a wide variety of primary schools around the bay, some recently built and others dating back to the Victorian era, which is where Upton’s primary school fits in.
Upton St. James’ Primary School
The church fosters strong links with Upton St. James Primary School having three church members who act as Foundation Governors. Previous incumbents and ministers have been on the School’s Governing Body often in the role of Chair of Governors, but this is not obligatory. The school’s annual Christmas concert and Harvest Festival service are held at the church; Bibles are given by the church to school leavers every year and class groups are taken around the church on educational visits. Church members are currently strengthening the church’s contact with the school by taking assemblies two or three times a term.
The South Devon College, located at Paignton, covers all aspects of further education both full and part-time. This thriving college has modern facilities and buildings. Nursery education, play groups and parent/toddler groups are available within our parish.
ADJACENT PARISHES Upton is surrounded by the parishes of Torre, St. Marychurch, Torquay St. Lukes and Ellacombe. Upton stands alone in its churchmanship and has previously not had strong ties with any of these churches. However under the Lord’s guidance, Upton is willing to develop a Mission Community with Ellacombe. In anticipation of this exploratory talks have begun between our Churchwardens and the Mission Priest of Ellacombe, exploring the possibilities of working together in the near future. Historically Ellacombe was Upton’s daughter church and we share one of the same trustees, that being the Church Patronage Trust.
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OUR PARISH IN TORQUAY |
