Dozens of Norfolk churches are 'at risk' 

English Heritage’s annual 'Heritage At Risk' Register has revealed that in the Diocese of Norwich, 28 listed Places of Worship are at risk and in urgent need of repair.

The Register focuses on listed buildings and places of worship that are in need of repair and, for the first time a comprehensive review has been conducted of all listed places of worship in England showing that 6% of places of worship are at risk nationally. 
 
In the Diocese of Norwich, 18 Grade I listed Places of Worship have been added to the Register. These include St Mary's, Gissing where repairs are needed to the masonary and roofs of the tower; St Andrew's, Wood Dalling where repairs are needed for the roof; St Mary's, Yelverton (pictured above) where work is needed on the masonry of the building. 10 Grade II* listed Places of Worship have also been added to the Register.
 
Through the hard work of the congregations, PCCs and Incumbents 13 Grade I listed Places of Worship and 6 Grade II* listed Places of Worship have been removed from the Register. These churches have all received funds through English Heritage and/or the Heritage Lottery fund. 
 
Listed places of worship at immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric in Norfolk include: Church of St Nicholas, Ashwellthorpe and Fundenhall; Church of St Clement, Burnham Overy; Church of St Peter, Forncett; Church of St Mary, Gissing; Church of St Peter and St Paul, Griston; Church of St Peter and St Paul, Knapton; Church of St Andrew, Lexham; Church of St Andrew, Little Cressingham; Church of St Martin, New Buckenham; Church of St Nicholas, North Walsham; Church of St Peter and St Paul, Swaffham; Church of All Saints, Upper Sheringham; Church of All Saints, Wighton; Church of St Mary, Yelverton; Church of All Saints, East Winch; Church of All Saints, Filby; Church of St Peter and St Paul, Oulton; Church of St Botolph, Stow Bedon; Church of St Giles, Swafield
 
Those under threat from slow decay or other less immediate threats include: Church of St Andrew, Holme Hale; Church of St Margaret, Paston; Church of St Peter, Shropham; Church of St Germans, Wiggenhall St Germans; Church of St Andrew, Wood Dalling; Church of St Helen, Woodbastwick; Church of St Peter and St Paul, Burgh Castle; Church of All Saints, Hempstead; Church of All Saints, Hilgay; Church of St Botolph, Morley; Church of All Saints, Runhall.
 
Simon Thurley, English Heritage Chief Executive, said: "The next few years will be crucial for At Risk sites. Although there has been a reduction in the number of sites on the Register, more than a third of buildings that were on the national Register when it first began in 1999 are still there now.
 
“We can't give up on all these incredibly important historic buildings; getting them back in use will lift the blight from historic areas, bringing back in to use really important buildings and giving people a sense of pride in where they live. As the economy starts to improve and the demand for development increases, we need to push these buildings forward and find a future for them."
 
The comprehensive review of all listed places of worship in England review was completed in association with organisations and bodies which look after places of worship, including the Church of England, which is responsible for more than 90% of listed places of worship in England.
 
English Heritage is working with the CofE and other denominations, the Heritage Lottery Fund, trusts and charities to best direct resources. It is encouraging that 40% of the churches on the Register are already making efforts to deal with the issues, but much more needs to be done.