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St Peter’s – National Lottery Heritage Fund success!
We are delighted to announce that the National Lottery has awarded us £631,462 to secure the future of St Peter’s Forncett for generations to come!
This funding will enable St Peter’s to be taken off Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, to deliver an exciting range of community engagement activities and to create an innovative new interpretive scheme for all ages.
The PCC, the Friends of St Peters and the local community extend enormous thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their generosity and to National Lottery players who have made the funding possible.
It is hoped that the remedial works will start this year, after which the church will be closed while the repairs are carried out. However, the churchyard which will host a series of ‘Four Seasons in a Country Churchyard’ conservation activities, will be open so that visitors can appreciate the beautiful setting of the church and its many interesting external features. Work is expected to take about 18 months and once complete, visitors will also benefit from a new Heritage & Nature Trail and ‘Rook over Forncett’ film, showing the rich history of the Forncetts and St Peter’s Church and created in partnership with the local community.
Terry Hickman Smith, Project Manager of St Peter’s Project Steering Group, said “Thanks to the National Lottery players, St Peter’s church will soon be fully functional and a thriving hub for local groups, schools and the wider community.”
Robyn Llewellyn, Director, Midlands & East, at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Places of worship are some of our oldest and most cherished historic buildings. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to support this project which will secure a brighter and more sustainable future for St Peter’s Church, protecting its heritage and creating fantastic opportunities for the local community and beyond.”
Here's a link to an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Norfolk: BBC Radio Norfolk Interview 7-8-2024
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- Written by: Peter Schimidt-Hansen
All About Owls
Please note that this will take place upstairs in the Steam Museum (not the Village Hall)
This event promises to be of huge interest to all of us who love these beautiful and mysterious creatures of the night. Presented by Simon and Nick, and illustrated with taxidermy specimens, photos and videos, etc. We'll hear stories from these two owl experts and find out how these wonderful birds can be supported around our countryside.
Licensed bar and other refreshments.
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- Written by: Jo Marsden & Carol Sharp
Stop Tasway Solar - The Campaign Group
By now, most villagers will be aware of the Tasway Energy Park proposals, a scheme to cover significant areas of The Forncetts with solar arrays, battery storage units and transformer stations. Most residents will consider this to be an unwelcome proposal, coming as it does hard on the heels of the much-despised Norwich to Tilbury (N2T) pylon plans from National Grid.
Solar Development and Pylons, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Thanks to Creative Commons
The initial mapping, somewhat limited in detail, shows that the company concerned has designs on fields that encircle the entire community of The Forncetts, essentially seeking to turn our rural landscape into an industrial park. Areas being proposed for solar development can be seen on the map here Tasway Solar Energy Park
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- Written by: Stop Tasway Campaign
Himalayan Balsam - an invasive plant
Himalayan Balsam - a special request from the 'Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative'
This article is taken from the recent Norfolk Association of Local Councils update, via Forncett Clerk Anne Rayner
In Norfolk there are several Invasive Non-Native Species which pose a threat to our unique ecosystems and wildlife. One of the main “culprits” is Himalayan Balsam. This plant, which is native to India was introduced to the UK in 1839. It spreads through exploding seed pods and as it grows to more than 3 metres tall, it shades out most native plants where it is growing. The plant usually grows along watercourses and as it dies back in the winter, this leaves bare soil which is then vulnerable to erosion, causing bankside instability and adding sediment to the water. This can have a knock on effect on aquatic plants and may prevent some fish from being able to breed successfully. Studies have also shown that bees prefer this plant and when it is growing in an area, native plants may not be pollinated as a result of bees ignoring them to favour the Himalayan balsam.
The plant can be identified from its pink to white flowers, tall stalks with red stemmed leaves and cocoon shaped seed pods.
At Norfolk Non-Native Species Initiative we are trying to map the plants spread across the county, as once we know where it currently is, we are going to take action to stop it in its tracks with the aim of eventually eradicating it. This is the best time of year to spot the plant, when it is at its tallest and flowing. If you think you have seen it growing in your area, please take a photograph (if it is safe to do so) and send this along with the location to
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- Written by: Brian Frith
Coronation Tree Planting Event
On Sunday May 7th 2023, an event was organised to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.
With the help of a grant from South Norfolk Council, a tree was bought and planted on 'Jubilee Green' at the Village Hall, followed by 'tea and cakes' in the Hall. About 60 people attended. Thanks to Tree Warden, Robert Hosea, for sourcing and preliminary planting of the tree, to Bev and Keith Humphreys for 'doing the honours' and 'Friends of St Peters' for supplying the majority of the cakes (including the celebration 'Coronation Cake' - and all others who helped in any way.
Photos taken by Phil Whiscombe (unless otherwise indicated) and reproduced here with his permission
If you have photos of other events and would like them added to the slideshow, please contact me at
Click the image below for the slideshow
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- Written by: Brian Frith
Forncett Platinum Jubilee Celebrations June 2022
A selection of images from HM Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Forncett - June 2022
Most photos taken by Phil Whiscombe and reproduced here with his permission
Apologies that it has taken so long to get the photos together and work out how put them into the 'slideshow' format!
Much has happened since early June - we were worried about rain (in fact many local celebrations scheduled for Sunday 5th June were called off). Little did we know how the summer would turn out with its record breaking high temperatures and drought conditions.
Queen Elizabeth II was able to play some part in her Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, but sadly she died on 8th September, and was succeeded by her son King Charles III. Hopefuly this collection of images from Forncett will bring back happy memories of a joyful time of celebration of a long reign and a life devoted to service to our Country and the Commonwealth.
If you have photos of other events and would like them added to the slideshow, please contact me at
Click the image below for the slideshow: Photos, with thanks, by Phil Whiscombe, unless otherwise indicated
This seems to work best on a desktop / laptop
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- Written by: Brian Frith
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