The Ouse Valley Benefice
Bexwell + Crimplesham + Denver + Hilgay
Ryston + Southery + Ten Mile Bank
Welcome to the Ouse Valley Benefice
Welcome to the Ouse Valley Benefice - a group of Churches in West Norfolk that are part of the Diocese of Ely. The Benefice comprises seven rural villages and their churches in or close to the Norfolk fens: Bexwell, Crimplesham, Denver, Hilgay, Ryston, Southery, and Ten Mile Bank. The Benefice came into existence in January 2022 succeeding several earlier groupings to make more coherent geographical sense.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Throughout Lent, I’ve been using the phrase…’but we know how the story ends’...to remind us that we are living in the light and truth of Jesus’ resurrection. For a moment though, let’s put our feet into the sandals of the women who were carrying spices early on Easter Sunday morning.
The women went to Jesus’ tomb ‘while it was still dark’. ’They were in deep shock and grief at losing their beloved teacher, leader and friend. Their hopes had died with him on the cross. Only a week before, the streets of Jerusalem had rung out with cheering crowds praising Jesus as a king and now…now what?
The scene change couldn’t be more dramatic. Imagine their shock at finding Jesus’ tomb empty. The last thing they expected to meet that day was an angel proclaiming, "He is not here; he is risen!" (Mark 16:6). Incredibly, they became the first to hear the news that would change the course of history.
However you are feeling this Easter, whatever struggles you are facing, the good news of Jesus’ resurrection is for you. He has conquered death, and offers us the promise of new life here on earth and eternally with his Father in heaven. As Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth:
‘Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain’.
May your Easter be filled with peace, joy, and the unwavering promise of new life in Christ. Revd Nigel Moat.
News and Events
For all our latest news and events, please see our News and Events page which is regularly updated.
You can also catch up on all the latest information in our monthly newsletter. Click the button below to see the latest edition.
Ely Cathedral Parish Pass
If you are on the electoral roll of any of the churches in the Ouse Valley Benefice, you can apply for a free pass allowing you to visit Ely Cathedral without having to pay an entrance fee. To apply for a pass complete the application form and ask your churchwarden (or Revd Nigel Moat) to counter sign it. You can then take the completed form, together with proof of your address, to the Ticket and Information Desk at Ely Cathedral between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday to receive your pass.
Baptisms, Wedding and Funerals.
If you would like to arrange a baptism, wedding or funeral in any of our churches, please see out Life Events pages. There you will find more information about how these can be arranged. For baptisms we would like to point you in the direction of our baptism coordinator who will guide you through the process. For weddings, your first point of call would be our Vicar, the Revd Nigel Moat. Funerals would normally be arranged via your chosen funeral director - but equally, you can contact Revd Nigel directly if you would like more information.
360 Church Tours
All Saint's Church, Hilgay
St Mary's Church, Crimplesham
St Mary's Church, Bexwell
St Mary's Church, Fordham
Deepening Your Relationship with Jesus
You will find some links below to various resources that you might use to deepen your relationship with Jesus. If you would like to suggest some other resources please let us know!
A free bible app that is available online and on your smart phone.
The daily prayer app from the Church of England.
A free daily devotional with Bible teachings.
Pray consistently for the people and causes you care about.
Online Services
Some of our services from Bexwell can be found online. Everyone is more than welcome to join us. Please see the calendar for the online services - the zoom link and Meeting ID's can be found in the calendar entries for each. If you have any problems accessing the zoom service please drop as a line by contacting is using this online form.
Daily Prayer from the Church of England
You can catch up with the Church of England daily prayer here.