Mention Newmarket and most people think of the pounding hooves
of horses and rolling expanses of green turf. The town is justly
famous for both of these indeed the town is home to the National
Horseracing Museum, but its very long and varied history goes
far beyond what most people expect.
Newmarket in West Suffolk is centred on the initial reason for
its existence - the ancient Icknield Way - the oldest road in
Britain. Its route approximated the present High Street.
Nearby Exning was a main settlement of the Iceni tribe (best
remembered for their famous Queen Boudicca or Boadicea who led
a major rebellion against the Romans). The Iceni were renowned
breeders of horses and dogs, so the Heath has probably seen many
more races than we are aware of!
Extracted
from NEWMARKET'S ORIGINS (notes provided by N.L.H.S
Committee Member Sandra Easom)
St Mary is the town’s historic parish church and plays
a significant part in the civic life of the town, being a popular
venue for major funerals and civic services. St Agnes was built
by Caroline Agnes, Duchess of Montrose in memory of her husband
and consecrated by the Bishop of Ely in 1887. It was amalgamated
with St. Mary’s in 1966.
St Agnes has retained its characteristically middle-of-the-way
Anglicanism, somewhere between the Anglo-Catholic ethos of St
Mary’s and the Evangelical tradition of All Saints, a neighbouring
parish with whom the Benefice enjoys excellent relations. A woman
priest is now able to celebrate communion in St Agnes but the
PCC voted against the appointment of a female Rector.
The two parishes have shared an Incumbent since then and although
they maintain their distinct traditions and separate PCCs, they
increasingly recognise the importance and need to work more closely
together.
There is a shared desire to improve the Benefice’s involvement
with the local community, especially expanding its work with children,
strengthening and developing links with local schools. We seek
to develop a greater sense of collaborative ministry and to develop
and adapt the buildings for other uses.
Our next Rector will have supportive congregations and hopefully
will lead us into the future with enthusiasm.
For more information please contact:
