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| Thorpe Market |
| A small village in North Norfolk |
News
So, Thorpe Market Church is closing?
Don't believe everything you hear,
but the truth is:
In
August of this year we shall be re-locating our services and activities
to other churches in the area in order for major repair works to
take place.
The
programme includes the renewal of all the slates, new guttering and
drainage systems, repairs to the stonework and pinnacles, refurbishment
to the ceiling and walls and a total interior redecoration.
The
cost of £150,000 is being funded by the generosity of individuals
and trust funds, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, and
the project is being managed by English Heritage.
The
Vicar and Parochial Church Council are confident that the church will
re-open in 2010 with renewed vigour and again be an important focus
of worship and community events in the village and surrounding
area.
The
period of time between August and the re-opening will be a window of
opportunity to seek even greater use of the building and its facilities
by community groups, be they performers, exhibitors or charity
fund-raisers.
In
order to put the building on a secure footing for the future, to
maintain current funding streams and import new talents, the PCC are
now seeking to establish a "Friends' Committee". It should be
recognised that the church in Thorpe Market is financially
secure, thanks to an already busy schedule and a prudent PCC. St.
Margaret's church IS a village heritage building, it is very
well-equipped for a wide range of activities and the time is now right
for an input of new ideas and new faces.
We
are seeking to establish an informal group who will meet socially and
discuss the possibility of supporting current events and maybe
instigating new ones. The intention is that many hands make light
work, that "Friends" offer their particular talents, be it pouring tea
on Snowdrop Sundays, parking cars on concert nights, helping with
erecting the stage or just greeting people when they arrive at the
church on a particular occasion. The current PCC has only 6
members and does not have the numeric strength to sustain the many
activities without additional help.
Churchyard Conservation
The
churchyard is maintained by volunteers. Since 1998 it has received many
awards and accolades. This February we recorded over 500 visitors
viewing the snowdrops and aconites, who also joined us in the church
for refreshments and music.
Our churchyard team has 4 regular mower
persons, who cut all the short areas weekly between March and November.
Other volunteers take on specific tasks such as the flower borders.
This June we hope to welcome a team from the Unpaid Work Unit who
will provide younger muscle to do those jobs that are currently left
undone! (Painting gates, repairing the car park, removing ivy from
walls, lopping overhanging trees etc.)
The longer conservation areas are cut and raked in July/August, in order to allow butterflies an extended breeding season
The Hazel Grove area is now used as a Green Burial area for the interment of ashes. (See "Woodland burials").
We
encourage visits by conservation-minded people. May and June are
particularly colourful months, especially in the Hazel Grove.
We welcome new members to our team and any offers to undertake a specific task are gratefully received.
Recycling
We
now have 2 bottle banks as well as the paper skips on the church car park. The paper skips already
earned £1300+ in 2007/08 towards the church's £7000
running costs - so please bring all your bottles and paper to Thorpe Market!
Book Recycling - Our Village Library
The
back pews are now occupied by a large shelf. The books thereon have
been donated and may be borrowed, read, and returned, or taken
for "keeps" in return for a small donation in the wall box. There are
modern novels, classics, biographies and special interest books. We
hope that it may provide a resource for avid readers between village
visits by the county library van. Bags of unwanted books to refresh the
selection may be left at the back of the church.
Village memories
The
intention is to create an archive of historical village photographs and
memories. We have posted Anthony Beck's diary of life in
the village during WW2 on this site. We always welcome any archive
material and photos may be e mailed to us. We receive queries
from around the world and are always delighted to respond if able.
This website has been designed to provide a source for visitors, residents
or indeed anyone seeking information about the village of Thorpe Market.
The website has been created with data provided by St. Margaret's Church,
Thorpe Market. |
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