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
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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There has been a call for a petition to be signed to help prevent the theft of lead from church roofs.
You don't have to be a church-goer, or even a Christian to care about these medieval buildings, and as any householder will know, the surest way to encourage deterioration within a building is to have a leaky roof.
Strenuous efforts have been made to prevent these thefts; surveillance cameras, locked gates, and even ‘smart water’ that rubs off on the culprits and remains detectable for some time have all been tried, but still the thefts continue. Ironically the cost of making good this vandalism far outweighs the profit that the thieves make on the lead. Church committees and fund raising groups work endlessly and tirelessly to raise funds to improve other aspects of these old buildings, and it is sickening to see this money being spent on the roof yet again. These thefts involve not only churches, but houses, business premises and schools.
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- Written by: Super User
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
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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St Peter's Church open Daily
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- Written by: Bev Poole