A series of special visits have been made to churches across the Diocese of Norwich in celebration of maintenance projects which have been supported by the Minor Repairs and Improvements grants scheme.
The national programme allocated £200,000 to support churches across Norfolk and Waveney in making modest repairs as a way of mitigating the need for costly, large-scale work in future.
This funding, made available between 2023 and 2025, formed part of the £11 million Buildings for Mission initiative – funded by the Church Commissioners and administered by the Archbishops’ Council.
Minor Repairs and Improvements applications which met the scheme’s criteria have been approved on a basis of prioritising the churches in the greatest financial need, with the Diocese of Norwich having awarded 53 of these grants so far.
The Archdeacons of Lynn and Norfolk, The Venerable Catherine Dobson and The Venerable Steven Betts, along with Diocesan Secretary, Tim Sweeting, and Nicholas Cannon, Secretary of the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), have been on a series of special visits to meet churchwardens and PCC members to congratulate them on their hard work in reaching significant milestones in repair projects.
Reflecting on the success of the programme during a visit to All Saints, Foulden, Archdeacon Catherine said:
“The Minor Repairs and Improvements scheme has made a huge difference to 53 churches across the diocese. This national funding, received from the Church Commissioners, has supported vital repairs – keeping some of our historic church buildings watertight and to prevent further damage by water ingress. A stitch in time saves nine!
“These grants have been a real encouragement to PCCs who have been able to get work done in a straightforward manner. I am grateful to the national church for making these funds available and for all who continue to work so hard across our diocese to care for our churches and the communities they serve.
“As Bishop Graham has said, our church buildings are ‘beacons of hope’ across this diocese and stand as a witness to our need of God in generations past and present.”
Tim Sweeting met with church members at St Mary’s, Marlingford and St Botolph, Barford to offer his congratulations. Expressing his gratitude for those who care for the buildings throughout the diocese, he said:
“We are very fortunate as a diocese to be home to so many storied, historic churches. We are also well aware of the pressures that the maintenance of these centuries-old buildings can place on churchwardens, fabric officers and all those who take an active role in caring for their church.
“The core idea behind the Minor Repairs and Improvements grant scheme is to ensure small jobs are not delayed, helping to avoid minor issues becoming big challenges in the future.
“It has been a real privilege to meet members of churches throughout the diocese to celebrate the work they are doing, and to see how the allocation of these funds is helping to maintain these much-loved historic places of worship.”
Projects supported by the Minor Repairs and Improvements fund include:
- St Botolph, Barford
Three windows in the chancel in danger of falling out and leaking - St Mary Magdalene, Pentney
Rainwater drains to stop water entering the church - All Saints, Foulden
Vestry window in very poor condition and wiring for lighting and heating - St Mary, Marlingford
Architect fees to enable work to continue
To receive support from the Minor Repairs and Improvements fund, churches have worked with the Diocese of Norwich’s Care and Development of Church Buildings team. Not only can this department advise whether any funding is available, they can also offer specialist support for projects of all kinds.
Resources can be found on the diocesan website, including the Project Support Pack – covering all stages of a wide range of repair and maintenance issues churches may need to contend with.