Church joins Jubilee Canopy programme ahead of facility improvements

A new tree in its grounds is heralding the start of a bright new chapter for a West Norfolk parish church.

Tim Ellis, a member of the area's Parochial Church Council, donated and planted the tree in the grounds of All Saints' Church in North Runcton.

The planting took place last Wednesday as part of the Queen's Green Canopy initiative launched to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

And work is due to begin tomorrow on the installation of new facilities at the church, including accessible toilets, a kitchen and a mains water supply.

No services will take place at the church during the works, which are expected to take around 10 weeks to complete.

If the project is not completed by the start of July, work will be paused to enable the church's 25th annual flower festival to take place.

The festival will also include a choral concert by Sara Jane Brennock on July 8 and a "Songs of Praise" service on July 10, followed by supper in the Village Meeting Place.

Church warden Ken Matthews, pictured above second right, said: "Once the facilities are in place, they will not only provide better conditions for worship but also the ability to stage many other activities as a community hub plus, a platform for fundraising activities in support of the repairs to the tower and spire."

Also pictured with Mr Ellis, third right, are, from left, Gwenda Brown, Fiona King, Ann Matthews, Lynda Fuller and the Rev Riaz Mubarak.