Buildings Group

Buildings Group

Fact 1:            The church of St Mary the Virgin is a magnificent building of significant importance.

Fact 2:           The church of St Mary the Virgin is not “fit for purpose” in the 21^st century.

The challenge:         To resolve Fact 2 whilst not affecting the truth of Fact 1.

Your questions answered:

What is proposed?

Improving the heating, lighting and electrics

Adding toilets and kitchen facilities

Enabling different uses to be made of the building by making access easier and the space more flexible.

Encouraging more people to make use of the building, for a range of purposes. Daily.

How will it happen?

Church members have already been consulted over the ideas and are broadly in favour with them.

The whole community will soon be invited to comment on the architect’s plans (currently being prepared).

The agreed plan will be implemented as money becomes available.

Money will be raised, hopefully from a wide range of sources, in Burwell and beyond.

Will my opinion be heard?

If you express your view it will be taken into account in drawing up the final plan.

Surely you will do what you want!

We have a Grade 1 listed building in a conservation area – there are many checks in place.

Unless we can show we have consulted, and listened, we are unlikely to obtain grant funding.

How can I help?

We have already received offers of specialist help and have gladly accepted them.

This is a huge project for volunteers to run and there will be further opportunities to be involved as the plans are implemented.

How can I find out more?

Whether you would like to offer help, or just want to know more about this project, contact the chair of the Buildings Group, Philip Baker, or any church officer (contact details in the church).

We hope to make the church more welcoming and easy to use, both for services and other community events. This is how it would have been in the past and, with your help and support, it can be again.