Welcome to our November Newsletter. Read on for details of recent grants awarded, an update on the Bike Ride, Walk & Drive. the launch on the second Norfolk Churchyard Conservation Award, upcoming events and details of our Winter Lecture Series taking place early next year, which offers some unique and exclusive opportunities.
The days are getting shorter and colder and this time of year sees many of at our county’s churches coming together for Remembrance Day. The image here a poignant one from Carleton Rode All Saints.
Coincidentally, this church was one of the beneficiaries at our latest Grant Committee Meeting which took place on 5th November. The eleven churches listed below shared a fund of £65,535.
It is thanks to our members, supporters, those that attend our fundraising events, take part in the Sponsored Bike Ride, Walk & Drive and who purchased a unique piece of art in our Secret Artist Auction that the Trust is able to support churches in Norfolk, like those listed here, with grant aid, so thank you.
| Church | Amount | Brief Description of Works |
| Brockdish, St Peter & St Paul | £4,000 | Downpipe repairs, internal plasterwork and window repairs |
| Carleton Rode, All Saints | £5,000 | Repairs to leaking chancel and nave roofs, buttress repairs to prevent water ingress |
| Gissing, St Mary the Virgin | £3,186 | Phase 3 window repairs |
| Heydon, St Peter & St Paul | £5,000 | Essential roof repairs |
| Irstead, St Michael | £7,000 | Urgent repairs to four buttresses which has damaged plasterwork and rood screen |
| Martham, St Mary | £1,760 | Repairs to medieval tombs and gravestones |
| North Tuddenham, St Mary | £2,029 | Small whole in nave roof, repairs to nave wall |
| Stibbard, All Saints | £1,560 | Overhaul of rainwater goods |
| Stody, St Mary | £10,000 | Roof investigation to ascertain cost of replacement |
| Tattersett, St Mary & All Saints | £8,000 | Conservation to wall paintings |
| West Raynham St Margaret in ruins | £10,000 | Up to this amount to assist with shortfall of approximately £30,000 due to the withdrawal of VAT scheme |
As ever the range of works covered by these grants are varied and include essential repairs identified in Quinquennial Inspection Reports, the five yearly architect inspection of church buildings, as at Brockdish, Carleton Rode, and North Tuddenham. These types of essential works, if tackled early enough, can prevent the need for more extensive work in the future.
Grants were also given for repairs to roofs, windows and medieval tombs, wall painting conservation, and investigation reports to ascertain the cost of replacing the roof at Stody.
Due to the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme that enabled VAT to be reclaimed on eligible repair and maintenance works, the costs of the project at West Raynham, to establish a Centre of Excellence to promote heritage conservation and green skills training, have increased significantly. The Trust has allocated a fund to assist with this shortfall should other grant applications not come to fruition.
You can see further details on the grants awarded here.
We are thrilled to report that to date we have received £109,888.69 from the Bike Ride, Walk & Drive event for 2026. This is a fantastic amount, and the proceeds, which are split between participants nominated churches and the Norfolk Churches Trust, mean that so far approximately 260 churches will directly benefit from this event.
To everyone who took part in any way; whether you cycled, walked, drove, ran, sponsored, donated, welcomed visitors to churches, provided refreshments, or generally supported the event a big THANK YOU.
If you still have funds to send in, please do so as soon as possible, as the sooner we receive your sponsorship, the sooner we can share the proceeds with Norfolk’s churches and chapels.
For more information on the event including how to send in your sponsorship, see our dedicated Bike Ride, Walk & Drive page here.
We will be judging the 2026 Photography Competition later this month and will announce the winners to you shortly.
Last month we reported that Hemblington All Saints were the recipients of the 2026 Norfolk Churchyard Conservation Award.
This month we are delighted to announce that the Norfolk Churches Trust, in partnership with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Norwich, is proud to launch the second Norfolk Churchyard Conservation Award after the success of the first one, which was introduced as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2026.
The competition is open to everyone (apart from this year’s winner) so applications are welcome from those who entered this year, it could be your turn in 2027.
Applications will close on 28th February 2027 with judging taking place in May 2027.
Application forms and more information can be found here.
Mark the first day of December by joining us for the latest Coffee, Clean & Chat session at West Bilney, St Celicla.
Please do pop by and join us if you can for all or part of the session, no experience necessary, just bring yourself and we will supply everything else, including coffee and cake!
Tuesday 1st December 10am to 12.30pm
St Cecilia’s, PE32 1XQ, What3words///plod.slant.shorts
With just one week to go, don’t forget to book your place for Great British Architecture: Remarkable Stories of Our History and Heritage, a talk by Daniel Wilson taking place at Wymondham Abbey, Thursday 19th November at 6.30pm.
Discover the extraordinary stories written into Britain’s historic buildings, and the people, power and ideas that shaped them. From time-worn ruins and cathedrals to tucked-away country churches and elegant stately homes, Britain is full of genuinely incredible, but often surprisingly overlooked, historic buildings.
Daniel creates online content in the history and architecture genre, producing short form videos that delve into the architectural curiosities and lesser known heritage sites of Great Britain.
Tickets for the evening are priced at £20 per person, or £30 for a couple, both options include one copy of Daniel’s book. Book your place(s) here.
We are also offering a special rate of £5pp for those aged under-25. Book your under-25 ticket here.
We are delighted to announce the dates of our Winter Lecture Series for 2027. Three unique events that are either solely for NCT member’s, or for which our members receive a discounted rate. Not a member of the Trust, membership starts from under 10p per day so, why not join today, see our membership options here.
The first, is a NCT Member’s visit to Gunton Park taking place on Thursday 18th February.
Join us for a fascinating morning exploring the history and re-creation of the historic Gunton Park landscape and the restoration and re-use of many of its historic buildings.
Starting at 11am with coffee at the house of Kit Martin, a leading exponent in the field of heritage regeneration, who will lead a talk and tour of the ‘old kitchens’ and the beautiful Georgian St Andrew’s church, a rare example of architect Robert Adam’s work.
This is a unique opportunity to discover how an important historic estate has been imaginatively preserved, adapted, and given a new future.
Spaces are extremely limited, so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappoinment. This event is open to NCT members only and is priced at £25pp, book your place here.
For the second in the series, Bylaugh Hall will be the setting for The Musical World of Vermeer and His Paintings. This unique event will be taking place on Thursday 11th March at 6.30pm in the company of musician and scholar Peter Medhurst.
The paintings of Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), showing young women playing musical instruments, are among the best loved and most evocative of the 17th century.
Peter will be discussing the musical paintings of Vermeer complemented by live examples of period Dutch music, sung and played by him on Bylaugh Hall’s piano.
Priced at £25pp for a NCT member and £35pp for non-members, your places can be booked here.
And finally, the third of our Winter Lecture Series will be delivered by Norfolk resident and heritage champion, Dr Simon Thurley and is titled, Those who work; those who fight; those who pray – West Norfolk in the Middle Ages.
Dr Simon Thurley is an historian, archaeologist and heritage champion who believes that our past informs and shapes our future, and that to make a great future for everyone we need to understand and care for our past.
This event will be taking place on Thursday 22nd April at 6.30pm at St George’s Church, South Acre.
Tickets are prices at £30pp for individual Trust Members, and £50 per couple for NCT Joint members. NCT Member tickets can be purchased here.
Non-member tickets are priced at £35pp and £60 per couple, non-member tickets can be purchased here.
All ticket options include one copy of Simon’s latest book, The Building of England: The Architectural History of a Nation.
As ever the Churches in our Care will be aiming to put you in the Christmas spirit with their annual Carol Services, hopefully there will be one near you.
3rd December – 7pm – Snetterton All Saints NR16 2LR – Christmas Carols & Readings, mulled wine & mince pies
8th December – 7pm – Hargham All Saints NR16 2JW – Candlelit Carol Service
16th December – noon – Rackheath All Saints NR13 6QT – Carol Service followed by sausages and soup
16th December – 7pm – Dunton St Peter NR21 7PG – Carol Service by torchlight
22nd December – 3pm – West Rudham St Peter PE31 8TE – Carol Service followed by mulled wine and mince pies
Looking for that special Christmas Gift for someone who loves Norfolk, its beautiful countryside, fascinating history, and remarkable churches? A Gift Membership is a present that they can enjoy throughout the year.
As you can see from this Newsletter, membership opens the door to a wonderful programme of exclusive member events, fascinating talks, musical occasions and special visits to historic houses and places of interest. Members also enjoy priority booking for popular events, early notification of fundraising activities and our monthly newsletter, keeping them connected with the work of the Trust.
For Christmas only, there is an extra special gift, as our Individual Gift Membership will include a beautiful Limited Edition Emma Bridgewater mug and the joint membership an Emma Bridgewater jug, making it an extra-special present to unwrap and enjoy.
A lovely keepsake celebrating Norfolk’s wonderful churches, and something to treasure long after Christmas. Order your Christmas Gift Membership here.
Individual membership starts at £35 and joint membership £55 plus £5 postage for each option
The Trust will also be having a stall at the North Norfolk Christmas Fair, at Fakenham Racecourse, where you will be able to purchase our Emma Bridgwater designed pottery, branded merchandise, Christmas cards, and other special Christmas presents.
Wednesday 25th November 4pm to 8pm
Thursday 26th November 9am to 3pm
£5 on the door with proceeds in aid of Thornage Hall, Independent living.
You can download a copy of this Newsletter for your church noticeboard here.
