New toilet and kitchen at Whissonsett church

St Mary's Church at Whissonsett, five miles south of Fakenham, has finally completed a six-year project to install an accessible toilet and kitchenette.

The completion of the project follows six years of planning and fund raising, with grant applications and generous donations.  The project was first delayed by the need for essential repairs to the leaking roof, then Covid delayed the ability for the PCC to meet and agree the final plans.
 
The project received grants from - National Churches Trust, Geoffrey Watling Trust, Garfield Weston Trust, Benefact Trust, Paul Bassham Trust and Laing Family Trust as well as considerable support from everyone in the village and the wider church family.  There will be at a special service on 15 October, led by the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, to dedicate the new facilities, to which donors will be invited.
 
Sue, from St Mary’s Church, said “The new facilities have already made a difference to our refreshments at the end of services. No more having to fill flasks with hot water at home and take the washing up away! The last six years have been very challenging, particularly the last six months during the building work. We have managed to hold services but have had to close the church to visitors and of course no bells as electrical work was being carried out in the bell tower.”
 
The Care of Church Buildings team may be able to offer support if your church/PCC is planning a project or is faced with urgent repair work. Please contact Frances Jackson, Historic Church Building Support Officer. Frances can also help put parishes in touch with a Church Building Ambassador.
 
The image of St Mary’s Whissonsett is courtesy of Simon Knott at norfolkchurches.co.uk.
 
This is based on an article published by the Diocese of Norwich.

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