Villagers save church from closure

HALLELUJAH!

Usselby's St Margaret's Church has been saved from closure thanks to the villagers.

They rallied round with offers of support at a meeting to discuss the church's future.

Soon the bell of the church could be tolling once again to herald regular monthly services.

It will soon be open for visitors as well, as a villager volunteered to keep the church door key to let people in.

Built with medieval stonework, the church was re-modelled in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the Grade Two Listed building has been faced with dwindling congregations.

Archdeacon of the Lincoln Diocese, Rev Jane Sinclair said she was not in favour of closing churches, but it had no electricity, there was no parochial parish church council and there had not been any services this year.

The five-yearly inspection of the fabric of the church had not taken place since 1987 and none of the £900 owed to the diocese this year has been paid.

The bell of the church had not tolled for years and services in winter were often held in candlelight in freezing conditions.

But members of the congregation heard there are plans to install electricity within the next six months and a specialist bell ringer is due to inspect the bell to see if a rope can be attached to get it going once again.

Supporters said they will organise a church council and host a harvest service in October.

Rev Sinclair said: "You have just made an Archdeacon very happy. This has the feel of a very good community church.

"You all know who you are."

She added: "The church is not in bad nick, but you are in breach of the care regulations as the last inspection was in 1987."

She said the church would help fund part of the next inspection and help with applications for Heritage Lottery grants.

Villager Sarah Woodcock said she would volunteer to be a church warden but admitted she had not been confirmed into the church.

She said she will be the key holder instead and be available to let any visitors in. She and villagers Mick Kent and Tony Green were thanked for keeping the grounds of the church neat and cutting grass and removing weeds throughout the summer.

Mr Green said: "People were not aware of the risk of it closing until word got round about the meeting.

"People will support it."