We knew that we needed to update the facilities, were we tired of answering to the question"Where are the toilets?" - answer: we do not have one. Once we had ideas of what we needed. Finding the connection for the water and sewerage proved to be frustrating. In the end the only viable solution was the most expensive longest route. Infor a penny in for a pound, we set about getting a faculty from the Diocese to proceed and to start fund-raising. With £5K from the Diocese we were on our way, 8 months later the pandemic struck, and put an halt to our fund-raising events. The only thing to do was to apply for grants. Slowly but surely things began to move with a grant from National Churches Trust, and others. Time went on, however we were delighted to be asked if we would enter a competition from the NCT to try for a one off £10,000 grant. We had not foreseen that this would include preparing a video in the space of 3 weeks explaining our project and why we needed the grant. Video complete,and submitted we waited. We had been shortlisted as the Midlands entrant,one of only 4 for the Friends vote. It was an achievement to get so far, but we do have to say we were disappointed not to win. However, we had not envisaged the potential being shortlisted had given us. We were able to include this in further grant applications then the grants rolled in and before we knew it we had the funds! Having been patient for so long we were stunned to think that we could go ahead. We took on a project management team, instructed the builder with the start date of November 2023. Like all building projects it took a bit longer, we had to lock the church except for Sunday Services, but we managed to cope.We are now open again and delighted with the works. The path has smartened the churchyard.
