SUCCESS! We are delighted to reopen St Peter's Church following the restoration work which started in November 2024 and was completed in March 2026. St Peter's is now off the Heritage at Risk Register. Many thanks must go to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other funders listed below who have helped so much. The work included re-slating the nave and chancel roofs, repairing/replacing rotten roof timbers, rebuilding damaged flint and stonework and improving drainage systems.
A wonderful Grade 1 listed jewel nestled in the heart of Forncett, St Peter's is one of 7 churches in the Upper Tas Valley All Saints parish. Its Saxon round tower, built circa 1000 AD, is considered to be one of the best in the country and there are other Saxon/Norman features. Much of the main building is of later, mainly 14th and 15th century date. Look out for: the 1485 Drake tomb, carved pew ends, a unique ancient staircase in the tower (access by appointment), fine ledger slabs in the chancel and nave, the memorial to Dorothy Wordsworth’s cousin, good examples of Victorian coloured glass windows and the ring of six bells.
The Friends of St Peter’s Project Committee is a group of village volunteers who coordinated the fund raising and restoration project. The main Committee is supported by three sub committees: Steering Group, Publicity, Activities. Friends' activities in the village such Saturday Markets, BBQs and quizzes have raised over £50,000 and many other supporters have contributed generously:
- National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Lottery players
- Round Tower Churches Trust
- Historic England
- Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
- The Norfolk Churches Trust
- The Headley Trust
- The Paul Bassham Trust
- The Geoffrey Watling Charity
- St John's College Cambridge
- The Aurelius Charitable Trust
- Pennycress Trust
- Bishop of Norwich Fabric Fund
- Garfield Trust
- The Benefact Trust