All Saints’ Church in Briston, a village in North Norfolk, is hoping to secure a lottery grant of over £500,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to upgrade its facilities. The church is in need of roof repairs and requires the installation of toilets, a kitchen, and a meeting room in order to host more community events. The removal of the pews in preparation for these improvements has caused controversy among some local residents.
Reverend Trudie Morris, the vicar of All Saints’ Church, stated that the pews were only temporarily removed to explore options for repairing and improving the building. She assured the community that the pews would be stored in the vicarage for a maximum of two years while plans for the church’s future were made. However, at a meeting held in October to outline the improvement plans, some villagers expressed their annoyance at the removal of the pews.
Reverend Morris explained that removing the pews would free up space and make the building more accessible for the community. Currently, there are no funds available to carry out the necessary work for the church’s improvements. North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker attended the meeting and emphasized the importance of listening to the concerns of the community. He urged the parochial church council to reflect on the public meeting and take the feedback into account, as many attendees were concerned about the scale of the plans and proposals.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Norwich acknowledged the village’s interest and affection for All Saints’ Church, stating that securing the future of the building would rely on the support of the local community in raising the necessary funds for upkeep and improvements. The church’s plan to host more community events and provide modern facilities is contingent on receiving the lottery grant.
In conclusion, All Saints’ Church in Briston is seeking a significant lottery grant to upgrade its facilities and make the building more accessible to the community. The removal of the pews has caused discontent among some locals, who expressed their concerns at a public meeting. The church’s future depends on securing the necessary funds and taking into account the feedback from the community.
