A well of blessings

At the end of April, Bishop Tim Thornton (formerly Bishop to the Forces and the Falkland Islands, and a former Bishop of Sherborne) came to Cerne Abbas for a unique baptism and confirmation.

Three baptisms took place in St Augustine’s Well, where St Augustine (the Apostle of England and first Archbishop of Canterbury) is believed to have baptised 3000 people in 602AD. The historic well, just under the hill which is home to the Cerne Abbas Giant, is now a popular stopping place on pilgrimage routes such as the Cernunnos and Catherine Ways.

The youngest of the candidates (just eight years old!) insisted on being first to ‘show the other two how to do it’, followed by the confirmation of four people from the benefice in St Mary the Maiden, Cerne Abbas. Congratulations to everyone!