Rescuing the historic Long Sutton St Mary’s Church was among the ideas put forward for £30,000 windfall
Rescuing a landmark wooden spire riddled with woodworm, new play equipment and park seating are just a few ideas put forward by parishioners to help boost their community.
Long Sutton St Mary’s Church spire needs restoration due to woodworm – and this was one of the suggestions put forward by townspeople on how to spend a £30,000 windfall.
Members of Long Sutton Parish Council have raised the money through a land sale and organised a meeting to give residents a chance to say how the money should be spent.
Chairman John Clarey said at Thursday’s council meeting: “I was very disappointed at the poor turnout at the meeting on Tuesday for parishioners to have their say – but there were some good ideas.”
These suggestions put forward included:
- improving a garden area on London Road
- Upgrading at Common Pit with new seating and other works to be specified
- a donation towards St Mary’s Spire that has woodworm and needs restoration
- gaining new play equipment at Cinder Ash
- taking a tree down in Winfrey Park next to the play area – it is a protected tree and permission is required for any works to it
Retired church warden, Teresa Watts, told councillors suggested that the church will have to pay for the spire repairs either through a trust or a grant so fundraising efforts will be needed.
Coun Jack Tyrell stated that there would most likely be outside help too and said: “Do you really believe the government will let the church steeple be pulled down and left to the parish council to pay for?”
Councillors also discussed at the parish council meeting that a football or basketball area multi use games area can cost up to £160,000 and the idea of a skatepark is still being considered.
A funding application for £26,000 will be looked into over the Christmas period – although this was not included in the list of suggestions at the public meeting.
The council will be examining the suggestions to see which can become viable projects and will be reporting back at the January meeting.
