Some people may wonder why the Church of England takes longer to put things into action than our non Conformist friends and there may well be folk who were wondering when the handrail at St Marys would be added to the pulpit. Well, good news, after a 4 year wait it is now in place!
When Brian and Mavis Clist celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary in 2006, and Brian his 80th birthday last year, they asked that should anyone wish to give them a gift they would appreciate donations which would be given to St Mary's for a handrail. The Church Council then had to apply to the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) for a faculty for the work to be carried out. This is a legal requirement. The appropriate information was duly sent but as frequently happens with planning there were concerns and suggestions for alterations to St Mary's original design. Unfortunately the DAC only meet a few times a year but after a great deal of to-ing and fro-ing permission was eventually granted.
The work has been carried out by Bradbeer Joinery and St Mary's now has a beautiful pulpit handrail and lectern platform.