WELCOME

The first incumbent of the new benefice was the Revd. Stephen Adams who then moved to be Rector of Abington in Northampton, and the next incumbent, Revd Michael Petitt, took up his post in September 1998.

At around the time of Michael Petitt's arrival we were beginning to feel that the formal title (The United Benefice of Badby with Newnham and Charwelton with Fawsley and Preston Capes) was a bit of a mouthful, and the idea of a shorthand form was being mooted. Several possibilities were considered, but in the end the Benefice Council felt that, because of the connections of all the villages with the Knightley family of Fawsley, the title of The Knightley Parishes would be a very appropriate choice. The present head of the descendants of the Knightley family, Viscount Gage (himself a churchwarden of Fawsley for many years), was very happy for the family name to be used, and the Bishop also gave his consent on behalf of the Diocese.

Michael Petit moved on in October 2008 and, after a two year interregnum, was succeeded by the Revd. Sue Faulkner in November 2010 (see below).

Service arrangements are at present in a state of flux, but details of all the services are given each month in The Link, which is a benefice magazine distributed, without charge, to each household in the five parishes, and to which you will find a link elsewhere on this page.

You will find elsewhere in this web site the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the various benefice and parish officers, and, in the pages devoted to the villages, we hope you will find useful information.

PLEASE NOTE. If you wish to contact a representative listed in the link magazine, please refer to the latest copy for the most up to date contact details.