EASTER EVE (7 p.m.): Lighting the Paschal Candle, Exultet, Service of Light and First Mass of Easter

for 1 hour, 30 mins
St Ambrose, Westbourne, Bournemouth
(72) West Cliff Road Bournemouth, BH4 8BE, United Kingdom

The service begins outside the main entrance of the church where we Light the Paschal Candle, from which we light our own candles. It is then borne in procession and the Exultet is sung. The Service of Light includes four readings and responsorial Psalms, and this leads into the First Mass of Easter.

St Ambrose, Westbourne, Bournemouth

ST AMBROSE - the parish church of Westbourne
An Anglican parish church in the catholic tradition of the Church of England, St Ambrose provides a peaceful sanctuary for reflection, prayer, devotion and spirituality. St Ambrose Church grew from the Oxford Movement reviving ceremonial, colour and drama in worship (incense is used) and the Eucharist is central to its worship. It is a member of the Forward In Faith movement and The Society under the patronage of Saint Wilfrid and Saint Hilda. Whilst part of the Diocese of Winchester, St Ambrose Church has been granted episcopal oversight by the Bishop of Richborough as Provincial Episcopal Visitor. The Rev Adrian Pearce was licensed as Priest-in-Charge on 25th April, 2013, by the Bishops of Southampton and of Richborough; and inducted as Vicar on 28th June, 2022.



SUNDAY SERVICES

8:00 a.m. Said Mass (Book of Common Prayer)

10:00 a.m. Sung Mass (Common Worship)

4:00 p.m. Evensong (Book of Common Prayer) followed, on the second Sunday of the month, by Benediction


WEEKDAY SERVICES

8:45 a.m. Said Mass (Common Worship) is offered daily in the Lady Chapel.
There are occasional variations (such as when a Society is hosting a mid-morning public Mass) but these are well advertised. For full details see the noticeboards or the Facebook Page.

5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer (Common Worship) is said daily in the Lady Chapel. 


For more details contact the Vicar, Fr Adrian Pearce, on 01202 911569 or [email protected].

The Churchwardens are:
Mr Barry Smith: 01202 707557 or 07918 018645 or [email protected], and
Mr Ernest Burton (also Hall Bookings): 07938 854476 or [email protected].

The Organist and Choirmaster is:
Mr David East: 07413955529 or [email protected].

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Get in touch

The Rev Adrian F Pearce

St Ambrose Vicarage
72a West Cliff Road
Bournemouth

BH4 8BE
Rev Adrian F Pearce
01202 911569
Parish Office answerphone
01202 766772
What's on

EASTER EVE (7 p.m.): Lighting the Paschal Candle, Exultet, Service of Light and First Mass of Easter

for 1 hour, 30 mins
St Ambrose, Westbourne, Bournemouth
(72) West Cliff Road Bournemouth, BH4 8BE, United Kingdom

The service begins outside the main entrance of the church where we Light the Paschal Candle, from which we light our own candles. It is then borne in procession and the Exultet is sung. The Service of Light includes four readings and responsorial Psalms, and this leads into the First Mass of Easter.

Safeguarding

The Parish of Bournemouth, St Ambrose

Safeguarding Policy Statement

The following policy statement was agreed at the Parochial Church Council (PCC) meeting held on 19th February, 2026.

This parochial church council has adopted the Church of England Safeguarding Policies and Practice Guidance. In particular our church is committed to:
• Promoting a safer environment and culture.
• Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the church.
• Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
• Caring pastorally for victims/survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Caring pastorally for those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.

The Parish will:
• Create a safe and caring place for all.
• Have a named Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO) to work with the incumbent and the PCC to implement policy and procedures.
• Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
• Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
• Display in church premises and on the Parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
• Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
• Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following House of Bishops guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager (DSM) and statutory agencies immediately.
• Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
• Following advice from the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, support and manage the safe involvement of any member of the church community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
• Ensure that procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
• Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.

Each person who works within this church community will agree to abide by this policy; the Church of England safeguarding policies and practice guidance; and the procedures/guidelines established by this church.


This church appoints: Mr Alwyn Ladell as the Parish Safeguarding Officer.
Incumbent: Rev’d Adrian F Pearce
Churchwardens: Mr Barry Smith and Mr Ernest Burton
Signed on behalf of PCC: Adrian F Pearce (Incumbent) Date 19th February, 2026

Diocese of Winchester safeguarding resources