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St Peter
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- Village Hall (17)
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detail page
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- St Peter detail (8)
- St Mary Graveyard (1)
- St Mary interior (7)
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Bunwell
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News
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A selection of news and other articles with 'no particular place to go'!
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Events
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Coming Events
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Don't forget also to check the schedule of Village Hall events and the Sidelines excursion program.
- Events Past (1)
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Coming Events
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- Allotments (11)
- Laynes farm (2)
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Reviews
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Ladies Who Lunch
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Reviews of restaurants in easy reach of Forncett.
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Ladies Who Lunch
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- Reading Group (9)
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History
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- Forncett Village (1)
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Parish Council
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This introductory section is where some standard information about the Parish Council will appear. The sort of stuff that doesn not change very often.
Below this area will appear various articles, which may be of any type. Those items that are considered newsworthy can in addtion be ticke to appear on the front page of the web (Home on the menu) in the same way as they do here.
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Churches
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Like most English villages, Forncett has an number of churches. Earliest in time were the two parish churches, that of St Peter and that of St Mary, for most of the centuries both looked after by the same rector but separated in the 19th century so that ... Colenso could be found a parish of his own (St Mary).
Then, in the 19th century, arrived the Chapels, Forncett Primitive Methodist (1888) in Forncett St Mary and the Methodist Chapel at Forncett End (date?).
Not to be outdone, the Anglican Church established a third church in Fornctt, that of St Edmund at Forncett End.
Today Forncett St Peter and Forncett End are part of a large circuit of local churches under one vicar and assistant vicar. Forncett Methodist still continues, while St Mary's Church and the Primitive Methodist Chapel are both closed and redundant.
St Mary (redundant)
Primitive Methodist (redundant)
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St Peter
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Following much hard work by The Friends of St Peter's funds have been raised to enable St Peter's Church to be taken off Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. The recent grant of £631,462 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund has been a significant part of this, but many other supporters have also given generously. Work is expected to start in late 2024 and will include re-slating the nave and chancel roofs, repairing/replacing rotten roof timbers, rebuilding damaged flint and stonework and improving drainage systems.
A wonderful Grade 1 listed jewel nestled in the heart of Forncett, St Peter's is one of 7 churches in the Upper Tas Valley All Saints parish. Its Saxon round tower, built circa 1000 AD, is considered to be one of the best in the country and there are other Saxon/Norman features. Much of the main building is of later, mainly 14th and 15th century date. Look out for: the 1485 Drake tomb, carved pew ends, a unique ancient staircase in the tower (access by appointment), fine ledger slabs in the chancel and nave, the memorial to Dorothy Wordsworth’s cousin, good examples of Victorian coloured glass windows and the ring of six bells.
The Friends of St Peter’s Project Committee is a group of village volunteers who coordinate the fund raising and restoration project. The main Committee is supported by three sub committees: Steering Group, Publicity, Activities. Friends' activities in the village such Saturday Markets, BBQs and quizzes have raised over £33,000 and many other supporters have contributed generously:
- National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Lottery players
- Round Tower Churches Trust
- Historic England
- Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
- The Norfolk Churches Trust
- The Headley Trust
- The Paul Bassham Trust
- The Geoffrey Watling Charity
- St John's College Cambridge
- The Aurelius Charitable Trust
- Anglican Parochial Church Council (1)
- Help us save St Peter's Church (1)
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Fundraising
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Community projects, repair and renovation is estimated to cost £700,000. Before we can apply for a National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant we need to raise at least 5% of this total – that’s around £50,000. Please help.
Make a Donation today:
Use the Just Giving 'Donate' button at the top of the pageOr Donate by BACS / Bank Transfer / Cheque:
Download the St Peter's Church - Donation form
Account / sort code details are provided on the form.
Cheques should be made payable to ‘Upper Tas Valley All Saints PCC’
Please write ‘Friend’s of St Peter’s Fabric Fund’ on the back of the cheque.Please return the completed the form / with your cheque, so that we have a record of your donation to
Mrs April Carlin
Email:
Tel: 01953 788775Gift Aid:
If you are a UK taxpayer and are able to Gift Aid your donation the Fabric Fund will be able to claim the tax which would have been due on it - that’s £2.50 for every £10 donated.Thank you for any donation you are able to make – everything helps small or large.
We are grateful to all our supporters and in particular we want to thank the following for their grant support:
- National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Lottery players
- Round Tower Churches Trust
- Historic England
- Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
- The Norfolk Churches Trust
- The Headley Trust
- The Paul Bassham Trust
- The Geoffrey Watling Charity
- The Aurelius Charitable Trust
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Friends of St Peter's
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The Friends of St Peter’s was set up in 2019 to bring together all of those interested in the future of this architectural wonder at the centre of the Forncetts. This remarkable building with its exceptional Saxon tower, 15th century alabaster tomb, medieval carved bench ends and unique ancient tower ladder is now in desperate need of repairs and renovations expected to cost £750,000.
Good Friends supporting our causePlease become a Friend of St Peter’s - it is free.
All we ask is that you support this special place in any way you can:• Register as a Friend. This will help us demonstrate to grant providers that the church is valued by members of the church-going community, the local community more generally and people who care about the long-term preservation of such a wonderful historic building whether they live in the UK or further afield.
• Attend and support our Events and fund-raising initiatives.
• Help to organize events and activities.
• Share your skills, for example market research experience, social media, writing for publicity, baking, singing or playing an instrument, arts and crafts, washing up – all are valuable.
• Share your ideas. Raising funds at this level means we need to come up with ideas which will inspire and motivate, reaching beyond our village to others who love and value ancient buildings.
• Make a monetary Donation. No amount is too small. If you are able to Gift Aid your donation the Fabric Fund will be able to claim the tax which would have been due on it - that’s £12.50 for every £10 donated.
• Inspire your friends to become our Friends, wherever they may be. We already have a Friend in Brazil!If you have any questions or suggestions please contact Gilly Barnes.
- History of St Peter's (13)
- News (29)
- random article (8)
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Our Restoration Programme
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The restoration of St Peter’s is overseen by a Project Steering Group comprising local residents and consultants:
- Terry Hickman Smith (Project Manager and Architectural Adviser)
- Ruth Blackman (Consultant Architect)
- Saul Penfold (Interpretation and Evaluation Consultant)
- Gilly Barnes (Church Warden)
- Sandy Barnes
- April Carlin (Administrator)
- Nigel Youngman (Minutes Secretary)
- Christine Minns (PCC Treasurer)
- Mike Merrick
- Peter Schmidt-Hansen
- Churchyard (5)
- Blog (2)
- Archive (2)
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St Mary
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Introduction - St Mary's Church
St. Mary's church is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and was built on the original site of Forncett. The Nave is probably 13th or 14th Century, the Tower 15th Century, and the Nave originally had a thatched roof. The church was restored by Revd J.Cooper 1869 -1870. In 1980 a decision was taken to close St. Mary's, due to falling numbers in the congregation, and the furnishings were stripped out. There were many schemes for the church over the next few years, but it was eventually allowed to become overgrown and derelict.
In 2007, new neighbours moved into Church Cottage, and began clearing the graveyard, and cleaning the church. A successful Friends group was formed, and fund-raising began to restore electricity, replace rotten floors and side panelling, and some of the stained glass windows, and a local retired carpenter made an altar table and rails.
In June 2012 the church was taken out of redundancy, with the full support of the PCC, the Diocese and the Bishops of Norwich and Thetford, and became a Chapel of Ease to St. Peter's Church. A successful bid for English Heritage Grant funding was made, and in Spring 2014 the remaining restoration work will be carried out.The church is ideal for holding community events as well as Services, and is open every day 10a.m. - 4p.m. for visitors.
- St Edmund (11)
- Primitive Methodist (1)
- Methodist (1)
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Church Services in Forncett
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Below are links to the detaills of church services in or near Forncett.
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St Peter
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Forncett Flyer
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The Forncett Flyer
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The Forncett Flyer, village newspaper for the Forncetts, is published monthly, except for September and January (although this is likely to chnage in 2024), and is an independent publication, paid for by Forncett Parish Council and by the local advertisers contained in it. It is produced by an editorial team consisting of Lindi Staunton (Editor), Richard Ball (Production), Martin Lander (Advertising) and Anne Lander (Treasurer).
Copy dates for the current year can be seen to the right or below.
There is an index to all Flyer issues up to end of June 2014 - Forncett Flyer Index
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The Forncett Flyer
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Garden Club
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Forncett Garden Club was inaugurated in July 2006 as a result of recommendations in the 2005 Village Plan Report. This document was based on the replies to a questionnaire completed by parishioners to discover what was needed in the parish of Forncett.
The Club meets monthly at Forncett Village Hall (on Low Road, near the War Memorial) on a Tuesday at about 7.20 p.m. for a 7.30 start.
At many of our Club meetings, we have a guest speaker who comes to talk on his or her specialist subject. So far we have enjoyed talks on Orchids, Dahlias, Roses, perennial plants, plants for shade, and garden power-tools; we also had talks by St John Ambulance on safely, and by the Police on security.
In the summer we have a feast-in-a-field, and this year we enjoyed a ‘tools-down’ meal at the Jolly Farmers. At Christmas we have a Quiz and Chips evening, hosted by Bob McClenning.
In collaboration with Sidelines Coach Excursions we have enjoyed trips to gardens like Cambridge University Botanical Gardens, and East Rusten Manor. In February 2009 we will be going to Anglesey Abbey Winter Garden.
All meetings are open to members who pay an annual subscription of £8, and also to non-members who pay £2 for the evening. A newsletter is published monthly - these can be found here ...
If you would like to join our club, or just see for yourself, please come to any of the above meetings where you will be made welcome.
For £1, tea and biscuits, and a raffle are provided each month. Garden related items are sold at the end of the evening to raise money for charity and club funds – so any unwanted plants, books, produce or tools are very welcome.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:-
Sarah House Phone 01953 788460, or Su Leavesley Phone 01953 789752 email: -
Category Blurb
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For longish blurbs that need a 'readmore' create an article and insert it into the category description with Aricles Anywhere App using button 'Insert Article' on bottom bar of wordprocessor.
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First World War Centenary
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Do you have a Forncett relative who fought in the Great War of 1914 to 1918? Do you have family memories of these times, a photograph, letters or documents? Do you have any information of life in Forncett during those years?
If so we would love to hear from you - please contact Jackie Scully
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Miscellaneous
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This category for various items with no particular menu placing
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PROW
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- PROW map (1)
- PROW links (1)
- uncategorised (4)
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Nature Matters
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- Get Involved (1)
- About Forncett Nature Matters (1)
- Published Articles (39)
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nature matters landing page
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This is the name of a group which formed in October 2021 and welcomes everyone who cares about the natural world. Join us and become involved in ensuring that our village enriches and supports nature. Experiencing nature, and working outdoors, helps boost our own physical and mental well-being..
Our vision is to:
- Provide spaces in which wildlife can flourish.
- Form wildlife corridors linking habitats to benefit pollinators and other creatures.
- To do this by restoring or creating habitats in gardens, hedges, ditches, field and roadside verges.
- Encourage local people to join us in order to collectively improve conditions for the wide and diverse range of wildflowers, insects and other mini-beasts, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals that exist alongside us in the Forncetts
The impetus for the new group came from the Earth Matters team, a group of writers and ‘amateur’ naturalists/environmentalists/gardeners, whose articles appear in the Forncett Flyer: Billy Hosea, Christina Wakeford, Ally Rae, Rosemary Horner and Claire Jordan. This group of five formed the original steering group for FNM, and we were soon joined by Carol Sharp and Terry Hickman-Smith (who recently stood down). We consulted Norfolk Wildlife Trust and have had excellent support and training from them. They are our go-to people for expert advice. We also have some very knowledgeable people in the village and hope they will allow us to draw on their expertise.
Now we want to spread our wings throughout Forncett, possibly into neighbouring parishes, and certainly up and down the river. We aim to put nature lovers, wildlife-friendly gardeners/farmers in touch with one another, to form a collaborative network which we hope will be reflected in improved connectivity creating ‘green corridors’ of wildlife habitats wherever possible. There are already many villagers who garden with wildlife in mind; whatever the size of garden anyone can do their bit to protect our natural heritage; if you’re not sure how to make a start you’ll get plenty of support. By adding together our individual contributions we can make big changes!