The future of your church is in your hands - Community Meeting in the Village Hall on Tuesday June 24th to discuss the future of the church

In summary, the meeting was useful as people took the opportunity to voice any concerns, what they value about the church and what was the legal position regarding its future use.

Flora opened the meeting and stressed that although there is a shortage of money, without people who are willing to help with the day to day running of the church it will not survive. This includes membership of the PCC in addition to cleaning and churchyard maintenance. There is plenty to do!

We are grateful to the Archdeacon of Dorchester, the Venerable David Tyler, for his involvement.

• He explained that the Church of England is not “cash rich” but is nevertheless releasing more funds which should trickle down to the clergy and local parishes.

• St Edmund and St George Church was unlikely to be accepted as having sufficient historical interest to merit it being taken on by a church conservation trust. If it were to be closed for regular services, it is unlikely that it would be converted for residential use. In the worst case, and despite its listing, it could be demolished.

• Although there is some uncertainty over what would happen to the church if it were to be closed, the Parish Council would be responsible for the churchyard.

There were many suggestions as to how money could be raised and the necessity to engage with more people, particularly those who do not come to these meetings or other parish events. These included considering more varied use of the building, improving the facilities (especially water and a toilet), more musical events (the acoustics in the church are better than those in the village hall). The possibility was floated of doing more across a number of local parishes. The idea of a "Community Hub" to involve more people and raise funds is to be discussed further, realising that without the involvement and commitment of more people the church won't survive - regardless of the amount of money in church funds.

We heard that many people visit the church for the peace and quiet that they find there. It was acknowledged that we all have spiritual needs, whatever our beliefs, and the engagement of more villagers is required.

Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting and those who were not able to attend but gave useful input. Finally, thank you to those who volunteered to join a rota for cleaning the church and providing flowers.