The Friends of All Saints Church, Wood Norton, was formally constituted in February 2022.
A community meeting held in October 2021 was in favour of the establishment of a Friends Group to ensure the future of the church building. The meeting acknowledged how successful All Saints is, not only as a church, but as a facility available to the wider community who enjoy the building and its ancient surroundings and recognised the growing concerns that rural parish churches are at risk of closing. The village would be much diminished if it were to lose this beautiful and focal amenity.
Every village – if it’s to call itself a village – needs its parish church. In times past, like many rural communities, Wood Norton had a pub, a post office, a village hall and a shop or two – places where Wood Norton’s denizens could meet, chat, pass the time of day and put the world to rights. But the Sun Inn has long since pulled its last pint, the post office had franked its last letter and the village’s assorted butchers, bakers and blacksmiths are no more. And whilst we are fortunate to have a vibrant and active village hall, Wood Norton’s parish church is still vitally important: to the aesthetics of our lovely village, and to the fabric of our community.
All Saints’ church is steeped in history. Dating from the 1300s (though the tower is a mere 400-odd years old), the church has survived its fair share of turbulence over the centuries: the Black Death, the vicissitudes of the Reformation, the countless conflicts that have characterised our nation’s past, the recent pandemic. Throughout, the church has been what it continues to be: a place to seek solace, to take refuge, to reflect, to nourish the spirit. And of course, a place to worship, and to celebrate: weddings, christenings, the Christian festivals that punctuate the year, and most recently Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. And thanks to recent Lottery funding the chancel, nave and vestry roofs have been restored, the tower repaired and modern facilities are now available in the church.
The aims of the Friends of All Saints are to:
- raise funds to help conserve, maintain and improve the structure, furnishings and fittings of the church, so that it is kept in good order for present and future generations to enjoy
- raise funds towards the upkeep of the churchyard
- assist with the cost of future church repairs
- help and support the events and activities of the church within the local community
- promote an appreciation of the beauty and tranquillity of the church and its surroundings
- help support and promote our unique village’s heritage and history.
The churchyard is maintained by a very active working party meeting fortnightly throughout most of the year to maintain the award-winning churchyard. This space is used by families and individuals as a place of remembrance, peace and tranquility, and has an active nature watch group who update information boards highlighting the thriving variety of wildlife which has made the churchyard its home.
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust, under their Churchyard Conservation Scheme carried out a survey of the churchyard and advised on the areas to the regularly cut and closely managed, leaving the remainder to be attended to once a year, which has resulted in a wonderful array of flora and fauna.
Become a Friend: If you would like to become a Friend, please see the membership information.
Events and Activities: details of future events and activities can be found here.
If you would like further information, please contact Joanne Burd
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