“Unfurl your sails and let the Spirit lead you forward,” said the Rt Revd Graham Usher at the celebration service for the restoration of St Nicholas’ Church, Wells-next-the-Sea.
The whole town was invited to celebrate, with a service, tree planting, heritage and wildlife activities and tours of the church and churchyard. The six-year restoration included repairs to the tower, roof and south porch, funded by a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant and lots of local donations and fundraising.
Bishop Graham congratulated all involved and said: “As we open the doors of this refurbished sanctuary, we are reminded that the entire creation is a cathedral of praise.
“This building is not just a meeting place – it is a sacred space where the praise of God is given shape, voice, and witness.
“The work you’ve done here – painting, repairing, upgrading – is a metaphor for the work God is doing in every heart. He takes what is worn and weary and makes it new. He takes what seems tired and breathes fresh purpose into it.”
Bishop Graham finished with a quote from St Bede and encouraged the seaside congregation to unfurl their sails as God leads them forward.
This May the bishop enjoyed two deanery pilgrimage days. In Thetford and Rockland he was joined by the visiting Bishop of Luleä, Sweden, and members of her young adult council. After a communion service in Attleborough church they met people using its day-care centre, from toddlers to pensioners.
They took a market-day walk around Attleborough and visited a farm which is part of the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network. This group of 60 farms, ranging from big estates to tiny smallholdings, is adjusting agricultural practices to create and link wildlife habitats.
“It was a wonderful afternoon seeing landscape-scale nature projects and ‘pingo’* restoration, and curlews, lapwings and a hunting marsh harrier,” said Bishop Graham. (*ponds in dips left after glaciation.)
The pilgrimage day finished with Evening Prayer at St Mary the Virgin, Banham, and Deanery Synod and a Q&A session.
The deanery pilgrimage day at Loddon included visits to Stoke Holy Cross primary school prayer space, Thurton Primary School, a Poringland toddler group, and youth groups at Poringland and Loddon. Bishop Graham met, walked and worshipped with local people including farmers, publicans, and YMCA youth workers. The day finished with a service in Rockland.
At Norwich Cathedral the bishop preached at the VE Day service. The following week he licensed Lucy Dallas as Diocesan Director of Ordinands at a cathedral service and commissioned Assistant Diocesan Directors of Ordinands, followed by a celebration in Bishop’s Garden.
Bishop Graham and his wife, Rachel, hosted Stepping Stones, a small Norwich-based charity for adults with learning disabilities, and the Attleborough Music Project as the 2025 charity open garden season began. Last year they helped local charities raise more than £25,000 and more good causes will be raising funds in the garden in June.
Bishop Graham was in another Norfolk garden, supporting another Norfolk charity, when he picked up a pottery bargain from famous potter Emma Bridgewater, at the fabulous fundraiser for the Norfolk Churches Trust – its Stately Car Boot Sale at Sennowe Park, near Fakenham.
At Salle Park, near Reepham, he travelled through an avenue of tractors to a ‘thank you’ evening for the stewards of the Royal Norfolk Show – his first duty as new deputy president of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.
As well as meetings around the diocese, Bishop Graham fulfilled duties nationally, taking part in debates in the House of Lords, and meetings of the Church Commissioners Board of Governors and the Net Zero Carbon Programme Board.
He is also a member of the Crown Nominations Commission, tasked with choosing the next Archbishop of Canterbury. After its first meeting at Lambeth Palace, London, at the end of May he said: “We will meet at least twice more. Please pray for the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit in the process of discerning who God is calling to the See of Canterbury.”
Main picture: tree planting at Wells-next-the-Sea church restoration celebration day
