This is a popular church that is very well cared for by the wardens and is host to a multitude of events, including a dozen weddings a year and a sit-down meal for 90 people on the pews. This was despite not having toilets or a decent kitchenette on site. The PCC was awarded £100,000 from Valencia Communities Fund towards the expensive and complex task of installing toilets and reconfiguring the interior.
The ornate Victorian tower screen was moved further into the church to accommodate a DDA-compliant toilet, with the kitchenette being built at the edges of the tower entrance along with a bell-ringing gallery. The large font, which was hidden behind the church door was moved to the Elizabethan side chapel where it could be better viewed and used.
The new cupboards were designed to blend with the old screen, and the new toilet, whilst occupying quite a large area at the base of the tower, is fully accessible and an asset to this church. The new bell ringing platform has been well designed and made from reclaimed wood to reduce the impact of the project on the environment.
This is a church that is community-facing and keen to bring more people into the church for secular and religious activities. This project will help to achieve this aim.
