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May 3, 2003
One item that was not installed at the time was a
clock on the spire, but this was put right three years
ago.
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| The impressive stairway window at All Saint’s
church, Bawdeswell, |
Robin said: “For the millennium the village, with
the help of a Breckland grant, raised enough money to
put in a clock. The architect included that in his original
design but, because the clock was being rebuilt with
war damage money, they thought adding a clock was unnecessary
expense.”
Still, even keeping a relatively modern church running
costs money. Some £180 a week is currently needed
– about £9000 a year.
The exterior of the church is impressive and the neo-Georgian
style of its windows is in sharp contrast to other village
churches. Its bell is an ancient one, dating back to
about 1340, and was removed from Little Barningham church.
The spire was built in the Cringleford workshop of HE
Taylor and Co. It was lifted into place in three sections
and secured by four steel rods into the concrete on
top of the tower.
The interior of the church is equally interesting. The
seat of the reading desk lifts up to reveal a modern
woodcarving of a boar and a well (boar-des-well).
So All Saints’ has many links to its past. But
now, thanks to a recently-formed support group, it is
looking forward to the future with renewed optimism
too.
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James Lilwall
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The Friends of Bawdeswell Church has been formed so
everyone can be involved in the future of the building
and James Lilwall, who was brought up in the village,
is chairman of the group.
“We knew there were a number of people who wanted
to support the church building but were not necessarily
religious. One of the reasons for forming the Friends
is about opening the church and getting people in on
a secular basis rather than a sacred basis,” he
said.
“It lends itself brilliantly to flower festivals
and art and craft fairs, but it’s amazing how many
people in Bawdeswell don’t know what lies behind
the church doors.
“The object is to raise money for the fabric of
the building but also bring the community together.”
churchwarden David Gurney summed up the feelings of
many as he said: “I think it’s a marvellous
that, through the Friends, people in the parish have
taken on a project to raise money for the fabric of
the church. The more it’s supported the better.”
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All
Saints' at Bawdeswell - a history
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