Heating cost support
The Sporle Relief in Need Charity (charity number 213063) owns Sporle’s Town Farm: a farm which nowadays is sadly separated from the village by the A47, with no bridge or easy means of crossing.
The farm does, however, contribute significantly to the life of the village: thanks to the farmer, David Pick, and the cottage tenant, Town Farm even hosts Rogation Sunday services in normal times, as it has a barn with a stunning natural acoustic which is briefly available at the right time of year.
The income from Town Farm is used primarily to address fuel poverty within Sporle (or to be precise, the ancient parish of Sporle with Palgrave), with small grants being made each year to around 30 individuals and families as a contribution towards heating costs. The charity is also able under its terms of reference to support the community in other ways: urgent help has been given in cases of need, and facilities for the community, such as the sports pavilion and church boiler have received much needed help. The advantage of a local charity is that the individuals, families and needs are known, and it is possible to respond relatively quickly. The trustees can even set up deliveries, as when a young mother needed a cooker urgently and a new one was better value. Sporle has an excellent sense of community and that helps people work together for the common good.
The author...
The Revd Janet Allan
Licensed clergy - Incumbent: Vicar, Swaffham and Sporle (Benefice)
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