A medieval Anglican church in a tiny hamlet in South Norfolk has won a national award and a £10,000 boost.
The PCC and volunteers at All Saints Church in Wilby are celebrating after they won an award, following a vote by Friends of the National Churches Trust, at the NCT Awards ceremony on October 24.
Each year the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses to stay open and keep churches at the heart of local communities.
All Saints Church in Wilby is the smallest of seven parishes in the Quidenham group in South Norfolk. Wilby has a population of less than 50 people, and yet the church continues to provide services to the local and wider community.
The medieval church building was overlooked by the Victorians and therefore its Jacobean interior is virtually complete, including the three decker pulpit in its original position amongst the pews.
However, the architecturally significant chancel roof is unstable due to batten sickness, which has caused water to enter the building. Additional funding would enable the church to be watertight, allowing the church to continue serving the community. The winners of the NCT Friends’ Vote award receive an additional grant of £10,000 to add to their previous grant award.
Church warden David Midgley said: “As a beneficiary of NCT grants, we have already been blessed with valued support for urgent maintenance, surveys, and major repairs, and winning another award brings us even closer to our funding target.”
Sarah Crossland from the National Churches Trust said: “All Saints church offers a peaceful and calm atmosphere, tucked away in rural Norfolk. It’s in a unique position with its quiet, rustic charm and unspoilt interior. We are so pleased to offer them an additional grant to support this beautiful church.”
The nominees for each category were invited to a ceremony at the Mercers’ Company Livery Hall on October 24 followed by afternoon tea.
You can view a video from All Saints, Wilby here.
Pictured are PCC members and volunteers inside All Saints church in Wilby, South Norfolk.
Keith Morris, 27/10/2022
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