New extension to church will provide facilities for growing community in Little Plumstead

David Freezer Saturday, August 18, 2012
6:30 AM

Plans to breathe new life into a 1,000-year-old Norfolk church are now firmly in place as attempts to raise over £200,000 enter the finishing stretch.

The artists impression of the planned new modern extension to the Little Plumstead Church by architect Nicholas Warns. Picture: Denise Bradley

Parishioners of Sts Gervase and Protase Church in Little Plumstead, about seven miles east of Norwich, have been raising funds for the last five years and are now only some £40,000 short of their £204,000 target for an extension.

The Saxon church is set to have a modern extension added to its north-facing outer wall, which will not only provide the church with long-awaited toilet and kitchen facilities but also a hall space which will open up new opportunities for the whole village.

The Great and Little Plumstead with Thorpe End and Witton Parochial Church Council has petitioned the chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich to authorise the works at the church, as it will require the relocation of two graves.

It is the next step in the process which organisers hope will see the work completed by next summer.

The artists impression of the planned new modern extension to the Little Plumstead Church by architect Nicholas Warns. Picture: Denise Bradley

Churchwarden Gerry Jarvis said: “About four or five years ago everybody was saying how nice it would be to have 21st century church facilities so we had an architect come up with a design.

“It mirrored the church with its flint walls, but that proved to be cost-prohibitive, so we had a brand new architect come up with a brand new idea and now we’ve got the present modern design.”

With new housing built close to the church on The Glade development, and 75 homes being built on the nearby Cavell Place development, there are plenty of new people living nearby.

With a steady congregation of about 25 regularly using the church for services already, the church’s rector, the Rev Christine Garrod, is hoping to see the extension become a hub for the village’s new residents.

Ms Garrod said: “We also have the Church of England primary school nearby and once we have got the new facilities, they can use the church more regularly and come in for projects or history and design lessons.

“There are a lot of new families in the village but no facilities, so we will have room here at the church available for community use and clubs.”

A fundraiser for the church’s extension is being held in Thorpe End this afternoon.

A barbecue is being held at The Rectory, in Lawn Crescent, from 5pm, with tickets costing £4.50.

- Have you got a Little Plumstead story? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk