Queen Thorne Benefice

Parishes in the Benefice

Over Compton with Nether Compton, Trent, Sandford Orcas, Poyntington and Oborne Rector:  Rev'd David Bond The Rectory, Trent, Sherborne, DT9 4SL 01935 850201 Click here to email The Queen Thorne Benefice is virtually surrounded by the river Yeo which rises in Poyntington where a duck race takes place annually.  It then flows through Oborne where real ducks abide but a rubber duck race also occurs annualy. It then skirts Over Compton and Nether Compton (where there are many duck races on a tributry) before forming the border between Dorset and Somerset around Trent.  The name Queen Thorne comes from a field roughly in the middle of the benefice. The six-and-a-half churches of the benefice are all very different and delightful and are all well worth a visit.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

The Parish Churches 

 

St. Nicholas, Nether Compton
Could you get a more English village than this?  The towered church of St Nicholas stands next to the village green, just up the road from the pub.  A quinticessional English scene.
Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page.
 
St. Michael, Over Compton
From any of three directions you have to approach St Michael's via private drives.  You wonder what you are going to find but when you get there you find a perfect and wonderfully welcoming estate church. 
Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page.
 
St. Cuthbert, Oborne
St Cuthbert's is wonderfully Victorian and, being so rural, heated by an old grain drier (which was very effective until it blew up in January 2023).  In the heart of Oborne it is a lovely, peaceful place until the Opera take it over in August and Jazz bands a couple of weeks later.  Lively! 
Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page.

All Saints, Poyntington

A delightful, if hidden gem.  Come into the village and stop at the 'crossroads.'  Walk up the very short hill off the main road and look left and there you have a Dorset treasure. 
Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page.
 
St. Nicholas, Sandford Orcas
The church is closely connected to the manor house in Sandford as they stand next to each other creating one of those perfect English village affairs.  St Nicholas' has a fine set of bells and a fine set of ringers who ring for many services.
Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page.
 
St. Andrew, Trent
From Mudford, from Yeovil, from Over Compton, St Andrew's draws the eye.  It's spire seems to hover in and over the trees and the golden cockerel weather vane shimmers in the sun.  The chancel offers a riot of colour and the east window is well worth a look as it is very unusual.  Archbishop Fisher of Lambeth (99th Archbishop of Canterbury 1945-1961) is buried with Lady Fisher under the preaching cross in the church yard.
Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page.

And, being the Queen Thorne, we have an extra church for good measure, 

Old St. Cuthbert's, Oborne
This little 16th century building, lies between the A30 and the Waterloo-Exeter railway line and is the chancel of a daughter church of Sherborne Abbey.  It is always open for prayer and holds one service a year (Trinity Sunday).                      Click here for Dorset Historic Churches page. 

            

                                

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