Images of Thornbury church reordering plans are put on display (From Gazette Series)

Images of Thornbury church reordering plans are put on display

8:30am Wednesday 28th July 2010

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PLANS to transform Thornbury’s parish church have been met with more questions from the public.

At a meeting on Saturday, 50 members of the congregation and other community leaders viewed images of how St Mary’s Church could look following the £850,000 re-ordering programme.

Rev David Primrose gave an update on the proposals, which the church says are needed to bring the 12th century building up to date.

He said: "People responded with a lot of enthusiasm and many detailed questions.

"They asked about the requirements for seating, acoustics, the way the new building would work for children and there was some discussion afterwards about how best to display the roll of honour."

He added: "Everyone was enthusiastic but wanted to make sure we get the details right.

"This is a positive step. We greatly value the questions people have asked along the way because it has helped improve the project.

"People’s concerns have been very helpful in making sure we pay attention to lots of different aspects of the project and make it the best we can."

The plans include removing the Victorian wooden pews, constructing a Mezzanine floor to create extra meeting rooms, an upgraded kitchen and toilet facilities and new flooring.

Last year campaigners against the proposals handed in a petition signed by more than 400 local people.

Charles Eardley-Wilmot, chairman of heritage group Concern for Thornbury, said: "I think the Mezzanine floor is over the top and I cannot see the justification for it.

"If the church needs more meeting rooms build an extension on to the vicarage. The church has to change with the times but only if it is feasible and can be justified."

Church leaders hope the plans will go before the Diocesean Advisory Committee in the autumn and building work will begin in 2012. The Thornbury community will have to raise two thirds of the £850,000 bill.

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