Wilby church wins national vote for an extra £10,000 grant

Churchgoers in one of the smallest hamlets in Norfolk are celebrating after winning a national award to fund urgent repair work.

All Saints’ Church in Wilby has been named as a winner following a vote by Friends of the National Churches Trust.

It means the medieval Anglican church has been granted £10,000 for repairs on top of existing grants.

The church is aiming to raise £170,000 for repairs and is now just £25,000 short of its target.

Church warden David Midgley said: “As a beneficiary of National Churches Trust grants, we have already been blessed with valued support for urgent maintenance, surveys and major repairs.

“Winning another award brings us even closer to our funding target.”

Each year, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches, chapels and meeting houses to stay open and keep churches at the heart of local communities.

All Saints’ Church in Wilby is the smallest of seven parishes in the Quidenham group in rural Norfolk.

Wilby has a population of less than 50 people, and yet the church continues to provide services to the local and wider community.

The medieval church building was overlooked by the Victorians and, as a result, its Jacobean interior is virtually complete, including the three-decker pulpit in its original position amongst the pews.

However, the architecturally significant chancel roof is unstable due to batten sickness, which has caused water to enter the building.

It is hoped the additional funding will enable the church to be watertight, allowing it to continue serving the community.

Sarah Crossland, from the National Churches Trust, said: “All Saints’ Church offers a peaceful and calm atmosphere, tucked away in rural Norfolk.

“It’s in a unique position with its quiet, rustic charm and unspoilt interior.

“We are so pleased to offer them an additional grant to support this beautiful church.”

The nominees for each category were invited to a ceremony at the Mercers’ Company Livery Hall, London, on October 24, followed by afternoon tea.

Other funding has included £4,720 from the National Churches Trust Foundation for urgent minor repairs, £20,000 from the National Churches Trust and a Gateway Development grant of £3,367.