Contents
2019 Consultations
The following document, created in May 2019, listed the vicar’s findings after consultation with leading members of the community:
Summary of discussions around St Andrew’s Deopham
A number of key things emerged.
1) Small or large project: Having been fully appraised of the situation of the fabric and the likelihood of needing to repeatedly apply for funds they all thought that one application would be better even if it were for a larger amount.
2) I discussed the issue around the reluctance of some to engage with the funding needs of the church, —– had noted that in a smaller way with some on parish council opposing using parish funding for the churchyard. However all felt that it was not insurmountable and needed good and clear explanation of what was needed and why.
3) —– was keen to emphasize the importance of the church to the parish of Deopham. It’s historic nature and significance has been used to effect on a number of planning applications.
4) —– was also very keen to explore with the church alternative usages of the church premises, on the grounds that the church is the soul large public building within the parish.
5) —– felt that a good first step would be to get the parish council to formally support a heritage lottery fund application, and we have a provisional slot at June’s parish council meeting to lay out our case for that.
6) —– indicated that —– would support us applying to the parish council for financial support with regard to historical work to help establish part of the case for the lottery bid.
June 29th 2019 – Parish Meeting
Public Meeting, Saturday 29th June 2019, 10am for 10.30am
St Andrew’s church and hall, Deopham
The meeting was essentially in three parts: (1) arrival and time to gather, (2) main meeting in the church with a tour of the church highlighting the faults in the fabric, (3) Q&A in the church hall.
37 people, including the Rector (The Revd Colin Reed), the Church Architect (Ruth Blackman), the Diocesan Church Development Officer (Caroline Rawlings) and the Church Building Support Officer (Ana Moskvina), were present.
1) As people arrived, they were able to look at a display in the church porch (kindly prepared by the Rector) with the brief history of the most recent works, the key information about the necessary repairs and some close-up photographs of details of the fabric in the church.
2) The main meeting in the church began by a welcome and introduction by the Revd Colin Reed, who outlined the scope of the necessary works and emphasised the need for community to be involved in order to raise funds for the urgent repairs.
Ruth Blackman, the Church Architect, introduced the structural problems especially on the south side of the church. Following Ruth’s introduction the attendees were divided into two groups for a brief tour of the church, both inside and outside, focussing on specific faults that need to be addressed. The groups were led by Ruth Blackman and Geoff Sankey, and everyone had a chance to note in particular the damp floor in the south aisle, cracks to south aisle walls and windows both internally and externally, crumbling buttresses to the south aisle, inadequate surface drainage on the south side of the church, which has caused a lot of the issues above in the first place, and the missing lead on the south aisle roof. The works to the chancel have been completed recently, funded by the Church Commissioners. The bats in the church were also discussed as an issue that will be affecting both the works and the community activities in the church.
Ana Moskvina emphasised the need for community involvement in order to apply for grants to pay for repairs and also invited everyone to come forward with ideas for community engagement and events.
3) Refreshments were provided in the hall and everyone was invited to put forward ideas and ask questions. During the discussion, a notebook was passed around the room inviting those present to write down their skills and anything they can contribute.
A project recently completed at Morley school was mentioned and could be a source of ideas.
General principles of approaching funding bodies and writing funding applications were discussed and clarified.
Janette Delbarre stressed the importance of communications.
Jacky Phoenix raised the subject of using local skills and trades to carry out basic maintenance tasks.
The need for a leader/project manager to lead the steering group was discussed.
Bats in the church are a point of concern, and the church becoming a part of the Diocesan ‘Bats in Churches’ research project was discussed.
Thanks to those who had distributed leaflets was expressed.
Overall, the meeting demonstrated a significant degree of enthusiasm but also a good understanding of the amount of work ahead. As a result, it is hoped that a steering group will be formed to take the project forward and the community will continue to be engaged in proposing new uses for the church and planning events as part of the Lottery Fund application.
2021 Questionnaire
The following questionnaire was delivered to, and collected from, every home in the village. It could also be completed on-line.
Deopham Church in Danger
We would like to invite you to have your say on the future of Deopham Church.
St Andrew’s church is a beautiful historic building and has been the heart of the community for a thousand years. It is in desperate need of major repair if it is not to close for safety reasons. Realistically, the substantial funds required for the remedial works are only likely to be obtained from bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF); the Church of England is unable to fund projects to restore all its historic buildings. This survey is part of the process of applying for NLHF assistance.
The survey is also an opportunity to review the role of St Andrew’s in the community and to explore additional uses for the building which may serve the wider needs of the parish. Any such uses will only occur once the fabric of the building is stabilised. We stress that the primary role of St Andrew’s will always be as a place of prayer and worship.
Who are we? Deopham St Andrew’s Restoration group (Deopham STAR) was formed in 2019 and is a group of local residents (both with and without faith) who are securing funding for, and managing repairs to, St Andrew’s church. Deopham STAR work with the Parochial Church Council who manage the church on behalf of the community.
We would be grateful if you could spare a little of your time to give us your views on St Andrew’s and its future by completing this survey. You may answer all, or as few questions, as you wish. All answers will remain confidential and completely anonymous.
* Required
* We must ask you for your consent to record, use, or share the information you give us.
* We will only access it when we have good reason. We will not sell it to commercial organisations and only share what is necessary and relevant. The information will be used solely for the purposes of the restoration of Deopham church. Data collected will be stored in a secure and locked place and, once it is no longer needed for the purposes of the project, only an anonymised summary will be kept.
* I consent for Deopham STAR to record the information below
* I consent
* I do not consent
1. A few questions regarding St Andrew’s, its restoration and the local community.
St Andrew’s church
a) St Andrew’s is a place with rich heritage which should be maintained for present and future generations.
Strongly disagree 1 – 6 Strongly agree
b) Local heritage is important for all residents, especially children, living in the village.
Strongly disagree 1 – 6 Strongly agree
c) Deopham village community is very important to me as a base for my social life and personal wellbeing.
Strongly disagree 1 – 6 Strongly agree
d) The chance to meet and chat with people and share local knowledge is important in the village.
Strongly disagree 1 – 6 Strongly agree
e) Mutual support and community networks are important, especially at times of crisis.
Strongly disagree 1 – 6 Strongly agree
f) St Andrew’s is a place that could facilitate community support.
Strongly disagree 1 – 6 Strongly agree
2. While maintaining St Andrew’s as a place of prayer and worship, do you think it could also be used as (tick as many as you like)?
– Local history and heritage lessons for local schools
– Local history and heritage display
– Meeting space (for toddler, youth, dementia groups, art and exercise clubs)
– Event space (swap shop, repair shop, food/produce fairs, beer/wine tasting, concerts and talent shows)
– Recording studio
– Microbrewery
– Craft taster sessions (wine making, knitting, beekeeping, cheese making)
– Space for a small Community Business (for example, a shop selling local produce)
– Other:
3. Would St Andrew’s be more comfortable and welcoming if it had?
– A disabled toilet with changing facilities
– Comfortable seating
– Food preparation area
– More accessible entrance
– Improved heating
– Improved lighting
– Soft play area for toddlers
– Presentation facilities/film venue
– Other:
4. Do you think the churchyard and car park outside Gralix Hall would be a good location for:
– Charging point for electric vehicles
– Library van stop
– Post office van stop
– Sensory garden
– Cycle rack
– Mobile ATM stop
– Area for growing fruit/vegetables/vines
– Defibrillator site
– Local information board
– Other:
5. Is there anything you would NOT like to see in St Andrew’s or the churchyard?
6. Do you currently use St Andrew’s?
Yes/No
7. Would you be more likely to visit St Andrew’s if it was used as a community hub?
Yes/No
If you would be willing to help the project (for example, with your skills or time) please give your contact details below.
The following information is required for our application to the Lottery Fund. These questions are included so that we can be sure we have replies from a cross section of the parish. You cannot be identified as an individual from the information you provide. You do not need to give us this information if you do not wish to. If you don’t wish to fill in this information, simply scroll to the end of this page and hit the “Next” button.
a) How many people live in your household?
b) The average household income is c£30,000. What would you say that your total household income is:
c) Is your home:
Owned outright or with a mortgage
Rented
Prefer not to say
Other:
c) What is your age?
d) What is your gender?
Male/Female/Prefer not to say/Other
f) What is your sexual orientation?
Straight/heterosexual
Gay/homosexual
Prefer not to say
Other:
g) How would you describe your ethnicity?
If you have marked “Other” in g, above, please specify
h) What is your Religion?
– No faith
– Christian
– Buddhist
– Hindu
– Jewish
– Muslim
– Sikh
– Prefer not to say
i) Are your day to day activities limited because of a health condition or disability, including problems related to old age?
– No
– Yes. a little
– Yes, a lot
– Prefer not to say
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| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 23/2/25 | Published |
Deopham History 