A special photograph of you and your family outside your home might make a perfect record of this unique period of time. We have arranged for an experienced photographer who would visit your home and take a picture or pictures outside your front door, in your garden, where ever you please, and deliver you some beautiful photographs to keep as a memento of these times.
We are charging £15 for this and all profits will go to the Forncett St Peter's Fabric Fund.
If you would be interested, please contact me for more information and to possibly arrange a date for our photographer to visit.
During the lockdown period we have not been able to organise any fund-raising events for fairly obvious reasons. As we have £50,000 to raise through grants, events and donations before we can apply for a major National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant everything we can do makes a difference.
I hope that you are all keeping well and looking forward to emerging butterfly-like from our lockdown cocoon. So far Forncett St Peter’s church is still closed, but Tacolneston is open each Saturday 10 – 4, Fundenhall each Sunday 10 – 4 and from 12th July there will be a 9.30 Holy Communion at Forncett St Mary each Sunday. St Peter's will not be opened until the plaster has been repaired and made safe.
Meanwhile the committee has continued with Zoom meetings between ourselves and with our appointed architect to progress paperwork as much as possible so that when restrictions are lifted we are ready to go.
Keep well and safe.
April Carlin
June 2020
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- Written by: April Carlin and Ally Rae
A meeting was arranged by the organisers of Forncett Connections, known as FENS, on Saturday, 22nd February at the Jolly Farmers, which hosts a popular weekly village Coffee Club. Representatives from various local organisations were asked to come along and give information on their activities to members of the public. The idea was to spread the word of the help available to everyone in the community from South Norfolk Council and also to inform newcomers to the area and any other interested parties about the various activities that are thriving in the village. Forncett is lucky to have so many clubs and groups which provide wonderful opportunities to make friends and join in with activities from gardening to line dancing, reading to bowls and WI. This is such an asset in a rural community where people can become isolated and lonely.
The Friends of St Peter’s Church, spearheading a campaign for the repair and refurbishment of our exceptional round towered church as a church and community hub, were represented by Gilly Barnes and April Carlin. They were armed with information about the importance of and needs of the church and membership application forms. There was an excellent representation from the various organisations who intermingled and exchanged information with each other. Unfortunately very few new faces attended the meeting. Four or five other society members filled in Friends forms, so there was some success in adding to our numbers. The object of the meeting, to inform newcomers about our vibrant village, probably needed different marketing to attract those not already actively involved in village life to come along. However, the friendliness of all the organisation representatives was wonderful.
April Carlin
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- Written by: April Carlin and Ally Rae
Forncett First Reading Group, Photo: A CarlinThe 13th and 14th July 2019 saw another great example of Forncett’s community spirit when an impressive number of village groups got together to put on a glorious flower festival in St Peter’s church. Each group created a stunning display of flowers. Children from the village school also took part, welcoming visitors with a floral ‘guard of honour’ as they entered the church and decorating the pews with more seasonal delights. Visitors were refreshed by tea, cake, strawberries and cream, the perfect evocation of an English summer.
But the festival didn’t stop at flowers. The history group put together a fine display of local history including the story of Dorothy, William Wordsworth’s sister, who lived for a time in Forncett. William visited her twice and his walks along the banks of the River Tas and the local lanes inspired him to write a sonnet.
And William’s spirit was much in evidence on Saturday when we were treated to an evening of poems and Pimms with many villagers rising to the occasion to deliver poems evoking tears of both laughter and sorrow. The church was packed again on Sunday for Songs of Praise. Over this very successful weekend the community came together and raised £580 for St Peter’s.
Peter Schimdt-Hansen
Diggers & Dibblers Gardening Club, Photo A Carlin
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- Written by: Peter Schmidt-Hansen
St Peter’s has been closed since late February when a large area of plaster fell off the nave wall, narrowly missing the pulpit. The builders are going to make the area safe by removing any loose plaster, but only after it has been examined by a conservator to ensure there is no medieval art work beneath. We had planned to then open the church leaving the gap on the wall to eventually be repaired as part of the major building works. Of course, events have now overtaken that resolve and church services have been cancelled for the present. However, although services are suspended the other churches remain open daily for people to sit quietly and/or pray.
The committee formed to oversee the vitally necessary work at St Peter’s will continue to meet in a very different way. We have been introduced to the glories of a ‘video conference call’ and this will be the method used for the foreseeable future. I am glad to report that an architect has been appointed to draw up the necessary plans and to guide us through the procedure of applying to the Heritage Lottery Fund for a grant.
Sadly our planned events over the next few months have had to be put on hold. We had hoped to add to the growing fund with our Bric a Brac sale and the VE Day Afternoon Tea, but the virus thought differently. We hope very much that we will be able to hold some events later in the year to boost the total. We are aiming, as a village, to raise c£25,000, the amount the Heritage Lottery Fund require us to contribute before they will consider making a grant. The present situation has set us back somewhat, but I’m sure that with your help we will get there.
[NB Since this was posted building costs have been re-evaluated with our Project Architect and the contribution prior to NLHF application is now £50,000].
In the meantime, keep well and enjoy our beautiful countryside as much as possible. Our gardens should all look wonderful now that we will have to spend so much time in them.
If you would like to become a member of St Peter’s Friends to boost our growing number or any other related information, please contact the church warden, Gilly Barnes on 01508 813055 or April Carlin, 01953 788775.
April Carlin.
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- Written by: April Carlin
Photo: Ally Rae - Temporary pipe-work to carry rainwater away from the building
Good news in our progress with the repairs to St Peter’s: the emergency work to make the church watertight was completed just before Christmas. This is a stop-gap to reposition slipped slates and manage the worst damage to lead work, gutters and down pipes. Additional temporary pipe work has been added to carry the rainwater away from the building until surface drains are repaired.
The main work, re-roofing and renovation, will only be possible when we have raised more money. To make a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund we need to have raised about £25,000 (at least 5% of the total needed). A combination of donations, fund raising and grants from other bodies will help us reach this target. [NB Since this was posted building costs have been re-evaluated with our Project Architect and the contribution prior to NLHF application is now £50,000].
The Diocesan Advisory Council will have visited the church by the time this is published to advise on the thorny issues of access to the site, especially during building works, and the possible location of a kitchen and toilet, all to be in keeping with the Grade 1 listed status of the church.
A Cheese and Wine party hosted by Sandy Barnes was our first social fund raising event. The maximum possible attendance at this was 40 and this number was easily reached. There was a veritable feast of different cheeses, dips, biscuits and fruit. We enjoyed wine and friendly conversation in a lovely setting. Thank you to our perfect hostess who was ably assisted by the younger generation, Chloe, Bradley, Lizz and Millie, who helped to sell raffle tickets and more importantly, to wash-up!
Funds were also raised by the sale of some beautiful Christmas cards designed by Sarah Allen who generously donated the proceeds to our steadily growing fund.
New ideas for events are always welcome. If you are able to help in any way please contact the church warden, Gilly Barnes –
We can never have enough friends! Becoming a Friend is free – your support is invaluable.
Photo: D Kirk - Visit by members of the Diocesan Advisory Council
Photo: A Carlin - Cheese and Wine Fund-Raiser Feast
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- Written by: Ally Rae on behalf of the Friends Committee
With the theme of 'Celebration' the Flower Festival will run from Saturday 2nd June to Tuesday 5th June and beyond.
All displays will be created by Forncett residents inlcuding a children's section – an arrangement on a teaplate..
On the opening day of the Festival, Saturday 2nd June, and as part of Forncett Jubilee celebrations, St. Peter's church will be holding a home-made cake sale on, from 10am to 12 noon at the church. Refreshments will be available and young musicians will provide an informal live music session at the same time.
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In July this year St. Peter’s Church suffered a significant lead theft from its roof. The thieves were never apprehended.
Since then, after much investigation by the PCC and Churchwardens it was agreed that a ‘State of the art’ alarm should be installed. The system consists of sensors, alarms, recorded warnings and Strobe lighting. Should the alarms be activated the emergency security services will automatically be alerted and within minutes be at the Church.
There are lead alternatives but these do not have the longevity of lead neither are they as pleasing aesthetically.
We had hoped to update the heating in the St.Peter’s but to comply with the Church Insurer’s conditions and to protect this beautiful and ancient building for the community we have no choice but to proceed with the security arrangements. This is an expensive venture.
Contribution towards this community project will be gratefully received,
please contact Susie Rohde, Churchwarden, on 01508 489 363 or 07762 727 539 or
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- Written by: Susie Rohde , Churchwarden
Many of you may remember last year when St. Peter's church took part in the Open Churches Week, we had many exhibits displaying the work of many local talented residents and rural crafts. We were very pleased to welcome over 200 visitors who came to see our wonderful church and the exhibitor's work.
This year we are planning to open the church from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. each day and would like to have exhibitions of local interest, art, crafts etc. If you have any suitable items/ work which could be exhibited in the church please contact us as we need to start planning the space needed, lay out etc.
As last year we will be offering church photo's, cards etc and refreshments for purchase by donation and will be running a tombola to raise funds for St. Peter's. If anyone has any items for donation for the tombola they would be very much appreciated.
Please don't forget St. Peter's is open daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. until the end of September if you wish to visit and spend some time quite time in the church and experience what other visitor's have described as "an amazing atmosphere".
Bev Poole and Graham Prior
Church Wardens
01953 788036 or 01508 481856
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St Peter's Church open Daily
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- Written by: Bev Poole
Many, if not most, of our historic churches in the British Isles are in dire need of repair, repairs which cost an astronomical amount of money. This is due to the fact that they are usually Grade One listed and all work must be overseen and carried out to a standard laid down by English Heritage. It also means that work is carried out by expert craftsmen and women, be they stonemasons, carpenters, glaziers or others, hence the expense.
Our parish churches, including the upkeep of them, are the responsibility of the parish. Organisations such as English Heritage and Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust will make grants towards these costs, but they must be matched by the parish.
The repair bill for Forncett St. Peter Church is estimated to be in the region of £150,000.00 and a similar amount is required for St. Mary’s church.
As mentioned in last month’s Forncett Flyer the Parochial Church Council (the PCC) is therefore organising events during the year to help raise money towards the repair of the fabric of St. Peter’s Church.
Don’t miss the evening of guitar music. Barrie O’Neill , Luke Arnot and Akabella will be performing on Saturday 22nd May at 7.30pm in Forncett St. Peter Church. For more details see Coming Events or contact Jackie - tel 01953 788414 or email
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- Written by: Jackie Scully