Support needed to secure future of Branscombe’s church
Branscombe church. Picture by Alex Walton. Ref shb 5806-26-13AW. To order your copy of this photograph go to www.sidmouthherald.co.uk and click on Photo Orders - Credit: Archant
Branscombe parishioners are being warned they must support the village church – or risk it not being there in their time of need.
Ross Wilmington recently joined the St Winifred’s parish church council and was shocked to see finances showing it may not last another five years. He has organised a cocktail party at his Woodhouse Farm home to deliver a stark ‘use it or lose it’ message and to launch a fundraising campaign.
“For the last five years the accounts have shown a deficit – I want to educate the parishioners,” said Ross, three generations of whose family are buried in the churchyard.
“If they want it to be there when they really need it they need to support it. Unless we act swiftly we’re looking at the reality of not having a church there in five years.
“I’m 32 – it’s my generation that’s got to wake up.”
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He said the church leaders would love to have more regular churchgoers but conceded that attending every Sunday is not possible for a lot of people.
Ross added that just £40 from every resident would secure St Winifred’s as a sustainable village church but other ideas are also being explored and collection boxes have been placed in various businesses.
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He is hosting a fun cocktails and canapés evening to launch the St Winifred’s Campaign from 6.30pm next Saturday (August 9). To book (£15) call Ross on 01297 680264.
