Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Lady Dannatt, opens new facilities open at Feltwell’s St Mary’s Church after volunteers raise £100,000

Published
2024/04/20 05:00 (UTC)

A grand opening has celebrated the new facilities - including a social space, kitchen and toilet - at a village church.

Volunteers and residents gathered at St Mary’s Church in Feltwell on Tuesday to see Lady Dannatt, the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, unveil the project.

‘The Aisle’ will be a space for social engagement, including quiz nights, coffee meetings, fetes, and concerts.

Volunteers managed to raise £100,000 through fundraisers and sponsors. Pictures: Michael Fysh

Renovations were made possible through fundraisers and donations from businesses - as well as West Norfolk Council’s financial assistance small grants scheme - altogether raising more than £100,000.

Chris Parker and Sue Garland, spokespeople for the church, said: “It has long been a dream to open The Aisle as a space for social engagement.

“There are myriad possibilities for use.”

Lady Dannatt and Eileen Gillian.

The church, which is already home to a food pantry and information point, is inviting residents to view the changes during its opening hours every day from 9am to 4pm.

“We want this to become a hub for the whole community,” Chris and Sue added.

Smiling faces filled the church
Residents, sponsors and volunteers joined in on the celebrations
Canon Joan Horan at the celebrations
A new toilet was installed
Lady Pippa Dannatt opened The Aisle
Heidi Strudwick and Rikki England in the church pantry
The Aisle will be used for social events
The new facilities included a kitchen and a toilet

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