A much-loved vicar who had to step down from the Portway and Danebury Ministry following cost-cutting measures in the Church of England has “found herself turning to drink”.

Rev'd Vanessa Cole, formerly a vicar in The Wallops and surrounding villages, has joined hands with Kate Griffin from Wessex Spirits to provide a gin retreat in Andover.

Rev'd Vanessa and Kate met as mums at Messy Church in Monxton many years ago. Over the arts and crafts and afternoon tea, they discussed faith and gin and motherhood.

READ MORE: Portway and Danebury vicar Vanessa Cole to leave in April

From the talks, they have now decided to create Petite Retreats in the heart of Andover. The first of the retreats, a Mother’s Day special, will be held at the Wessex Spirit’s Gin Palace on Tuesday, March 29.

During the course of the retreat, there will be guided meditations imagining what it would be like to share a G&T with God.

There will also be a variety of activities for mums and their grown-up daughters to share, such as painting each other’s nails or knitting and nattering together.

Rev'd Vanessa said a delicious lunch will also be provided along with other refreshments during the day, and everyone will be given a G&T goodie bag to take home.

“Many people think that God is rather remote and that they have to be on their best behaviour to pray; I want to create an environment where we can be at ease with God and share our secrets with Her as we might do with a best friend over a G&T,” Rev'd Vanessa said.

The vicar was ordained as a deacon in 2004, and subsequently became a priest in the Diocese of Bath & Wells in 2005. She joined the team in Portway and Danebury in 2009, and has run activities such as leaving hearts for the people of her parishes.

SEE ALSO: Andover shops pass test as police send teens to buy alcohol

In April 2021, Rev’d Vanessa Cole left the Portway and Danebury Ministry, covering Amport, Monxton, Grateley, Quarley, Over Wallop, Nether Wallop and a significant proportion of the west of Andover.

To book a place in the gin retreat, contact Rev Vanessa at Priestwithoutportfolio@gmail.com or via phone: 07813519092.

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