Friends of St Cyriac's
The creation of a local committee to work for St Cyriac's church took a big step forward at the meeting in the Village Hall on December 7th.
AS MEETINGS GO, it was well attended and, more encouragingly, there was a real
outcome. This was thanks to strong leadership by the representatives of the
Churches Conservation Trust, that owns the building: the Chairman of the
meeting, David Britten, Kate Weaver, who has a long-standing involvement with
the church, and her successor, Verity Stroud.
Along the way there was discussion of issues that have been the source of disquiet in various quarters. It was acknowledged by the CCT that there were "misunderstandings within the community" about the uses to which the church could be put and the impact of these on the village. For example, large events could cause parking and traffic problems. Late events could cause nuisance to neighbours. Fundraising events could diminish the amount of money spent on other fundraising exercises by the School, St Mary's Church or the Village Hall. However, it was pointed out that these and other organisations could hire the building for their own purposes, and profit, as has happened in the past.
The CCT representatives made it clear that their minds were open and they would respond to problems if and when these emerge.
Volunteers to join the Friends committee came slowly out of the shadows, with a marked reluctance to take on specific jobs (Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary). Who can blame them? Their task will not be a sinecure. There are questions of insurance for those using the building; how to heat it adequately for winter events; and overriding all others, the need for toilet facilities. At this point the discussion impinged on plans for a lavatory already being made by the St Mary's church council.
For anyone reading this report, and totally confused, it should be pointed out that St Mary's Church, the village's parish church, is administered ultimately by the Diocese of Ely (I think). St Cyriac's, which is no longer needed for regular worship, has been taken in care by the Churches Conservation Trust, which is funded mainly by Government and the Church Commissioners, with help from smaller bodies and donations.