Your Parish is more than a collection of historic churches — we are a living, breathing community of people. Our ministry and mission thrive because of the time, skills, and care given by volunteers.
Reverend Steve Paynter
I grew up in South West London, in Hampton, Middlesex, and then went on to study Physics at Bath University, before teaching Physics in a Comprehensive School in Keynsham for four years, which I really enjoyed. In 1886 after getting married to Jennie, a local solicitor, we then went to train for the Anglican ordained ministry at Trinity College, Bristol, and we have served in a number of churches since then, most recently in Ealing, London. We have four sons, Jono, Daniel, Matthew and Luke and now three wonderful grandchildren.
My special interests are creation, issues around the environment, mountain walking, wild camping, cycling, sailing, bee keeping, DIY and gardening. My favourite author is Patrick O’Brian, author of a series of 19 superb historical sea novels from the age of sail and my favourite music from my youth is Pink Floyd. As a family we have loved the north Cornish Coast as a holiday destination for the last 30 years.
In terms of faith, at school I went the science and maths route and gravitated towards atheism as a belief system, but it didn’t seem to answer the bigger question of life. It was at Bath University studying physics and meeting other Christian students that I came to put my faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ. It was a life changing event for me, which gave my life new meaning, purpose, goals and a lasting joy and peace.
It has been a joy to serve Christ in his church and also now in the Parish of the Wellspring Villages, here in the beautiful North Wiltshire Chalk Downlands.
Wellspring Villages Team
Churchwarden and Lay Representative:
Churchwardens: Anne Bradley, Catherine Kosidowski, Gaynor Halls, Julian Cooke and Doug Stevens
Parochial representatives of the laity:
Louisa Barnes, Karen Boulton, Jane Golding, Andrew Poppleton, Sarah Sumner, Lorraine Brown, Karen Stevens and Liz Warrick
Deanery Synod Representatives (appointed until 2026):
Catherine Kosidowski and Caroline Tams
PCC Officers:
Benefice Lay Vice: Sarah Sumner
Benefice Electoral Roll Officer: Anne Bradley
PCC Secretary: Gaynor Halls
Treasurers: Andrew Poppleton, Christine Thomas
Benefice Parish Safeguarding Officers
Sarah Sumner
Rob Tylee
Gaynor Halls
Would like to join our team?
We always welcome volunteers, please let the Wardens or Rev Paynter know if you would like to join the teams of people supporting the Churches in this way.
For nearly a thousand years, the people of Bishopstone, Hinton Parva, Liddington, and Wanborough have gathered to worship, serve, and care for one another.
Each of our churches has deep roots:
St Mary’s, Bishopstone retains its beautiful 12th-century Norman doorway.
St Swithun’s, Hinton Parva dates mainly from the 13th century and is rich with medieval craftsmanship.
All Saints, Liddington stands largely 13th century in origin, its tower watching over the village for generations.
St Andrew’s, Wanborough, with its rare double towers, traces worship here back to the 11th century.
Over time, our parishes have grown closer in friendship and shared purpose. Hinton Parva was united with Bishopstone in 1940 (taking effect in 1946), when St Swithun’s became a church at ease and its vicarage was sold to establish a maintenance fund. From that point, St Mary’s became the home church for both parishes.
In 1974, Liddington and Wanborough were formally united, continuing the pattern of shared ministry and cooperation that had already developed informally across the villages.
By 1990, the four churches — All Saints, St Andrew’s, St Swithun’s, and St Mary’s — were brought together as the United Benefice of Wanborough and Liddington, Bishopstone with Hinton Parva. Although early efforts to create a single parish administration proved challenging, the sense of unity and shared mission continued to grow.
In 2025, that long journey of partnership found new expression in our shared identity as Wellspring Villages — one family of faith with four historic homes.
Worshiping with Us
We offer a rhythm of worship that includes Holy Communion, Morning Prayer, and special seasonal services — all designed to deepen our relationship with God and one another and glorify Him.