Hard work is p-roof of new life at church

Churches - CPlaces - CSt Edmund's church at Costessey.Dated ?Photograph C3443 (Image: Archant)

St Edmund's Church in Old Costessey has completed a conservation and interpretation project which celebrates the history of the church and looks forward to the future.

On Saturday a celebration launch was held following the successful completion of its Celebrating the Past - Ensuring the Future project, secured largely due to £192,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The completion has safeguarded the physical future of the building by re-roofing the entire nave and chancel in slate, redecoration of the chancel and other areas, and installing new heating.

The project has also created a series of new interpretive resources for visitors of all ages.

Churches - CPlaces - CCostessey church.Dated 15th June 1979Photograph C3442

These include a heritage detective's trail for children and families, a fully illustrated Costessey - Our Story exhibition showing the history of the church and wider community in Costessey over the last 2,000 years and a new interpretive board within the churchyard.

The conservation work and the new resources generated are the result of hard work over the last two years.

Local crafts-people took on the conservation work and school children got involved with the creation of the new interpretive materials.

St Edmund's and all its new resources are free to use and they are designed to enable the local community to learn about, discover and enjoy the building and its wider historical context.

Churches - CPlaces - CIn the front of the church is a brick wall under construction by the Community Service at St. Edmunds church, Costessey.Dated 14th April 1981Photograph C3441 Folkes

The Rev Nicholas Parry, vicar of Costessey and chairman of Costessey Parochial Church Council, said: 'St Edmund's church will now become a hub for the local community to learn about and enjoy its heritage and we want to encourage everyone to get involved with this wonderful building.

'This project is about people and their contribution to our community over time and St Edmund's church is a great repository of our community's history.

'It is wonderful that the £192,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has helped to secure the future of this great building for all to enjoy.'

St Edmunds Church in Old Costessey, 1st March 1989. Photo: Archant Library (Image: Archant Library)

Vicar Nicholas Parry at St Helens Church Hall, Gurney Road, Costessey where they are trying to raise £40,000 to repair the roof.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: Archant Norfolk)