North Norfolk church reopens after four years

Wiveton St Mary church, which closed in 2019 after a roof beam fell from its ceiling during a storm, has re-opened after extensive repairs.

The falling beam also caused damage to the chancel near the church's altar, right, but the community rallied together to save the 15th-century church - raising around £300,000 to make the repairs. The Friends of Wiveton Church managed to raise more than £70,000 - with a further £20,000 coming from a crowdfund backed by 'Normal for Norfolk' television star Desmond MacCarthy and ceramics designer Emma Bridgewater.
 
The project also received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as grants from the Norfolk Churches Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, All Churches Trust, and the Geoffrey Watling Charity.
 
King Charles also supported the project when he attended a fundraiser event put on by Music in Country Churches at St Margaret's Church, in Cley, last year, which was organised by the Friends of Wiveton Church.
 
This is based on an article in the Eastern Daily Press.
 
The photo of Wiveton Church is courtesy of Simon Knott at norfolkchurches.co.uk

The picture of the beam on St Mary’s altar is courtesy of the Diocese of Norwich.
  

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