Transformed! That is what has happened to our dreary hoarding protecting essential scaffolding in the Chancel. Thanks to local artist and volunteer Gill Starkie it has taken on a new life and far from being an eyesore it is now another reason to pop in.
The completed Mural. Photo: Gill StarkieHere's what Gill says: "I was asked to paint the ugly wooden screens which separate the church from the scaffolding. As you sit in the pews, it is one of the joys to look around and take in the beauty of the architecture and the fine details, so it seemed right to create a backdrop that didn’t distract, but complemented – in colour and content. Creating a sky and introducing a little flavour of the renaissance seemed fitting, an opportunity to imagine life 1000 years ago when the church was built. The central sewn textile piece (which masks the contractors’ door) represents the nature and wildlife that is all around the church. The cross and the rainbow are symbols of forgiveness, inclusivity and acceptance.
Before painting began. Photo: Gilly BarnesSpending a few freezing days in the church, painting and creating, I got to appreciate how life must have been way back when this beautiful church was built – from the planning, design and conception, the building, the decoration and window fitting, the many years of labour and the varied lives of those who frequented the building – both as a place of worship and as a place to find sanctuary and social entertainment. There was no heating then – just the right clothes!
Our church is going through a ‘renaissance’ – embracing the new ideas, the new plans, new attitudes and restoring a church that is surrounded, supported and held tight within this village of stories.”
Self Portraits from Forncett Primary School pupils. Photo: Gill StarkieThe work was finished with wonderful panels of self portraits done by every child at Formcett Primary School. “The screens tell a village story and the children’s textile work means that the school will be marked within this space, ” says Gill.
Come and take a look. The church is open every day 10am – 4pm – please drop in.
We are so grateful to Gill for her creativity and time which is resulting in such a transformation and to the children and teachers at Forncett Primary School who have made such a special contribution. The hoarding is likely to be in place for 2 years until the church undergoes a major restoration to stabilize the structure so that it can be removed from the Heritage at Risk Register and can develop as the active place of worship and respite it has always been and the community heritage hub it will become. A major fund-raising campaign is underway – find out more here. If you are able to help please use the DONATE button. Every little helps.
The artist at work - Gill Starkie Photo: Martin Starkie
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Great News! St Peter's is now open again for services and visitors. With the chancel roof supported by a forest of scaffolding and closed to the public with a large hoarding, the rest of the church is now up and running. It will be open every day from 10am to 4pm thanks to our wonderful band of volunters. The lovely Victorian stained glass, carved pew ends and other historic features are there for you to discover. The scaffolding itself - an outward sign of the extensive structural problems facing the building - is quite a sight.
The chancel full of essential scaffolding. Photo: G BarnesSt Peter's also has a special atmosphere of peace and tanquillity, a respite from the turmoil of everyday life, a place to sit at ease. Everyone is welcome.
You will find information about services here
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Cards and Calendars will be on sale at our Saturday Markets – the next one is Saturday 18 December, 10-12.30, Forncett Village Hall, NR16 1JG - and can be ordered from April Carlin: 01953 788775,
You can also order a wide range of Christmas goodies: , 8” cakes fully iced £15, puddings large and small, £10 and £5, plus mince pies, sausage rolls etc. from April Carlin.
Lovely sets of Christmas cards from designs by two local artists are now on sale – 6 cards for £5; 5 packs for £20.
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| Sarah Allen's painting | Rachael Fretter's photograph |
Thanks to Sarah and Rachel for their inspiring painting and photograph, and to Su Leavesley for production.
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| Our 2022 Calendar |
Our Fabulous Forncett 2022 Calendar is also on sale – a bargain at £6.
Lovely shots taken in the village by local people make great stocking fillers as well as useful and beautiful items for you.
Thanks to everyone who sent in photos and to Emma Mace, a Graphic Desginer who put it together for us for free.
Scrumptious foods for Christmas and any time you fancy them. Thanks to all our bakers.
Delicious Christmas cakes. Photo: A Carlin Cards, Calendars and Christmas foods are on sale at our Saturday Markets – the next one is Saturday 18 December, 10-12.30, Forncett Village Hall, NR16 1JG - and can be ordered from April Carlin: 01953 788775,
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Friday 19th November, 6.30pm, Friends View with wine & nibbles.
Come and join us for a relaxed and atmospheric evening to enjoy the show. Tickets are £5 including a glass of wine and nibbles, from Gilly Barnes: 01508 813055,
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st November, 10.00am - 4.00pm. Winter Art Exhibition and Sale – Free Entry, Free parking
Have a warming drink and enjoy a mince pie or two, sit a while and relax in this beautiful peaceful church, take in the music and atmosphere, wander, view and maybe buy the creations on display. If you are looking for original and beautiful handmade gifts for Christmas or wishing to spoil yourself, then this is the occasion not to miss.Hand-made gifts,decorations, and a varied range of art andcrafts, created by this talented group of local creatives.
In support of St Peter’s, with 10% of sales and donations for refreshments to the FoSP.
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- Written by: Gill Starkie & Ally Rae
St Peter’s Forncett - 1,000 years of history
For the first time in the history of Heritage Open Days St Peter's is joining in! An opportunity to go behind the scenes and it's free. Step inside the exceptional flint round tower of St Peter's Church - an Anglo-Saxon treasure built around 1000 AD. A very rare 16th century stair and a jewel window await you.
The top of the ancient staircase Photo: A MoskvinaThe round tower of St Peter's Church, Forncett St Peter, is usually locked for safety reasons. Today you will be able to step under the narrow arch and stand within the massive walls, where the bell ropes snake down from the bell loft above. Access up the tower is via an extremely rare wooden staircase, shaped to the curve of the wall, the great treads worn by the foosteps of generations. Gaze up into the darkness and wonder. The stair and tower access is too dangerous to go up now, but there will be photographs of the upper floors. One of the small lancet windows is a gem of gleaming Victorian stained glass. The tower is considered one of the finest Anglo-Saxon round towers in the country and you can also explore the rest of the church which is usually open, with Anglo-Saxon herringbone flintwork in the chancel and Norfolk flushwork in the porch. Take a look at the pew carvings - seasons of the year, the vices - they are all here. Can you find avarice? Volunteers will be on hand to tell you the very special story of St Peter's. A wonderful setting where William and Dorothy Wordsworth walked in the late 1700's; perfect for a short - or longer - walk along the adjacent Tas Valley Way before tea. Refreshments available.
More details here: Heritage Open Days
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Very sadly the church has had to be closed to vistors and services for the time being. The serious problem with the chancel roof, identified during detailed investigations in October, has led to a recommendation to provide temporary propping until a full repair can be undertaken. Until this can be installed the church is likely to remain closed.
We are very sorry not to be able to welcome you to this wonderful building. The situation highlights the precarious condition of the church and the critical need for repairs. If you are able to help donations can be made using the Donate button on this page.
The churchyard is open and we hope you will enjoy it's peace and tranquillity.
Pedestrian access is down the drive through the small side gate attached to the main gates, or you are welcome to stroll up through the churchyard.
We are sorry that disabled access is so limited at the moment - it is on our 'To Do' list!
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Let St Peter’s inspire your creativity on Sunday 22 August!
This drop-in art workshop is for everyone, whatever your experience or creative interests. Come and have a go...sketch. paint, or just enjoy a creative atmosphere.
Stay with us as long as you’d like. The day begins at 10 am and will finish at 4 pm. You can come for 20 minutes or bring a packed lunch and stay with us for the whole day.
Please feel free to bring your own materials, maybe you have a sketchbook or pens, pencils and paint, however there will be plenty available to get you started. Remember, you don’t need to have any experience, Ana and Gill will be there to guide you.
If you have one – please bring a folding chair / stool, it will mean you will have more flexibility as to where you will sit and sketch – plus you can enjoy the sketching opportunities in the churchyard too, but don’t worry if you don’t have one.
People under 16 please - bring an adult with you. (it’s an insurance thing!!! – we’d love to have you)
Tea, coffee, soft drinks and cake provided; please bring lunch if you are staying all day. Covid precautions in place.
Free. Donations welcome!
This will be a perfect opportunity to escape for the day. A time for you to relax in the tranquillity of this beautiful historic church. Pass the word, bring your friends and family.
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- Written by: Gill Starkie
A lively talk on the history of the church by Dr Ana Moskvina. Ana is amazingly knowledgeable about our church and is the Historic Building Support Officer for the Diocese of Norwich. This should be a really interesting talk and an opportunity for us all to learn more about this wonderful Grade 1 listed building with its roots firmly planted in the Anglo-Saxon period. It's round tower is considered by many to be the best example in the country.
The talk will be followed by Pimms and nibbles.
Tickets for this event are £5 from Gilly Barnes:
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Photo: A RaeSaturday 19 June 2021
10.00-13.00
Forncett Village Hall
Low Road, Forncett St Mary’s, NR16 1JG
A wonderful array of all sorts of Bric-a-Brac, Preserves, Cakes, Plants
Refreshments
Free Entry & Parking
Covid security measures will be in place, please follow the direction of the stewards
All profits to Save St Peter’s Fund
At last an opportunity to get out and find that bargain and to support St Peter's
Any questions please contact April Carlin:
A huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone who supported the Bric-a-Brac Sale last weekend. We raised £406, which really helps to move things forward. It was also wonderful to see friends and supporters - a lovely sociable morning, and the rain held off!
So many people helped with donations, getting things ready on the day, selling and buying as well as making teas and coffees and clearing up afterwards. Thank you all.
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- Written by: Ally Rae
Have you looked at St Peter’s Church recently? I mean really looked. Stand in front of that iconic tower and what do you see? A round tower? History? Flints? Gargoyles? A problem in search of a solution? Well take one more look. Can you see it? Hidden in plain sight a wonderfully cute face looks back at us, with his narrow eyes and mouth and little button nose. The Friends of St Peter’s were very lucky to get the help of a talented local graphic designer, Greg Jordan, to design a logo for us. Greg saw it straight away and so our logo was born.
The face of St Peter's. Photo: A Rae
This strikingly simple and effective image will be the new face of the save St Peter’s campaign. It will promote our Facebook and JustGiving pages, all our publicity materials and our grant applications. It was very important to develop something distinctive and eye-catching to help the campaign stick in people’s minds, as we reach out beyond our own community.
A huge ‘thank you’ to Greg for working with us on our publicity imagery. Further work to develop a distinctive house style and ‘brand’ is under way and we’ll be sharing more of this journey later.
Greg runs his own graphic design company and you can find out more here: http://www.applejuicedesign.co.uk/
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- Written by: Ally Rae