Only a short distance from the Jurassic Coast, the Two Shires Benefice is a rural benefice of five parishes set in the picturesque landscape of the Somerset and Dorset Borders, with four of the parishes located within Somerset and one just over the border in Dorset.  We are blessed to have beautiful traditional churches in all of our parishes, and all are most welcome to visit.

St Mary Magdalene, Cricket Lane, Cricket Malherbie, Somerset, TA19 0PW

St Michael & All Angels, Knapps Lane, Chaffcombe, Somerset, TA20 4BJ

St John the Evangelist, Waterlake Road, Tatworth, Somerset, TA20 2NZ

St Stephen, Church Street, Winsham, Somerset, TA20 4HX

The Blessed Virgin Mary, Chard Street, Thorncombe, Dorset, TA20 4NE

Also, once a month, a Book of Common Prayer (1662) service of Holy Communion is held at Forde Abbey chapel.  This is a privately owned former Cistercian monastery.  https://www.fordeabbey.co.uk/

The ministry in our churches is overseen by the Rector of the Benefice, which is a post shared by our husband and wife team of The Reverends Philip & Michelle Butcher; [email protected]

SAFEGUARDING IN THE TWO SHIRES BENEFICE

The Benefice of Two Shires is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Bath & Wells’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Team's page is : https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/diocese/safeguarding/reporting-concerns-or-abuse/ 

The Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser is Ben Goodhind 01749 588917

Local Authority Social Services telephone number is 0300 123 2224