Wiveton St Mary church, which closed in 2019 due to a falling roof beam during a storm, has recently re-opened after extensive repairs. The community came together to raise around £300,000 to fund the repairs, with the Friends of Wiveton Church raising over £70,000 and an additional £20,000 from a crowdfund backed by television star Desmond MacCarthy and ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater. Funding also came from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Norfolk Churches Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, All Churches Trust, and the Geoffrey Watling Charity. King Charles supported the project by attending a fundraiser event organized by the Friends of Wiveton Church at St Margaret’s Church in Cley.
The church experienced damage to the chancel near the altar, but the community’s efforts helped preserve the historic 15th-century church. The Friends of Wiveton Church raised a significant amount of the funds needed for repairs, and support also came from a crowdfund backed by notable figures, as well as various organizations such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Norfolk Churches Trust. The King also contributed by attending a fundraiser event organized by Music in Country Churches at St Margaret’s Church in Cley.
The re-opening of Wiveton St Mary church is the result of a collective effort to raise funds for extensive repairs following damages caused by a falling roof beam in 2019. The church managed to raise £300,000, with the Friends of Wiveton Church leading the effort by raising over £70,000. Additional support came from a crowdfund backed by television star Desmond MacCarthy and ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater, as well as funding from various charitable organizations. The historic church has now re-opened to the public after the completion of the repair work.
