By Geoff Fisher 
Haveringland Parish Church will host a free conference for anyone interested in the plight of rural churches.
To be held on Friday 15 May from 10 am – 4.30 pm, the event is the final part of a transformational project in the church, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and others, which has delivered extensive repairs and improvements to the building, along with a programme of events and community engagement initiatives.
Churches in rural areas face significant challenges and many are finding it hard to think positively about the future. The conference will explore the realities of rural parish life and provide inspiration.
There will be keynote talks from the Bishop of Lynn, the Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, and Nigel Walter, founding director of Archangel Architects, Cambridge, as well as panel discussions on church buildings and the environment, community health and well-being, transforming governance structures and exploring different models of church.
Cawston Vicar, Revd Andrew Whitehead, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this day conference as part of the Heritage Fund-supported project in Haveringland.
“We’d like to share the experiences we’ve had and the lessons we’ve learnt, as well as offering a place for people to come together and ask their own questions.
“Being involved in a rural church can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, and we hope we can provide an opportunity for mutual support and encouragement.”
The venue for the conference is the Haveringland Parish Church & Community Hub, NR10 4FW. The conference marks the end of a £500,000 project, which has seen the remote and dilapidated church building transformed into a well-appointed facility that serves its community in fresh ways.
Attendance at the conference is free, with lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day, owing to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which has been the major funder of the work at Haveringland. Places are limited; click HERE to register.
Photos: Andrew Whitehead
Geoff Fisher