
The Parish Church of Little Marcle is situated in a rural area in Herefordshire. It serves a scattered population of people in a predominantly farming area. Residents tend to be older and in our area, loneliness and rural isolation are identified issues. Little Marcle lacks any community facilities at all. There is no shop, no pub, no village hall, no school and no bus stop. There are no other adequate community facilities in Little Marcle or its immediate neighbouring parishes.
In 2018, a Friends Organisation was set up tasked with developing a re-ordering scheme to enable wider community use of Little Marcle Church. Its mission statement reads:- “By consultation with local people and groups, to create a 21st Century Building which meets local need and puts Little Marcle Church at the centre of our community and is sustainable in the longer term.”
In the summer of 2018, with the help of our very supportive Parish Council, an extensive community survey was undertaken to assess the support for a possible re-ordering Little Marcle Church to provide Community Facilities. The survey was done by questionnaire and all properties in the Parishes of Little Marcle, Pixley, Aylton and Munsley were circulated. Over 53% responded and there is widespread support for providing community facilities to address peoples’ concerns, hopes and aspirations. We also canvassed the opinion of young people in our area, with a simpler one page questionnaire.
Progress to Date
April 2018
Friends Group formed and inaugural meeting convened. Management committee engagedSummer 2018
Community questionnaires sent out to all households in the parishes of Little Marcle, Aylton, Pixley and Munsley with the great support of Pixley & District Parish CouncilSummer 2018
Results of questionnaires presented to local people in an Open Afternoon. Event was well supported with 60+ attendees and strong support demonstrated by the community for the projectWinter 2018/19
Committee visited other churches to gather inspiration for the project and finalised ideas for the alteration of Little Marcle ChurchJanuary 2019
Obtained £6,300 funding from the National Lottery community fund to finance a detailed feasibility study, building of a community website and Community Presentation Event.March 2019
Architects and Website designers engagedJuly 2019
Architects final plans presented to the community at a very well attended event, shown in the main picture.Autumn 2019
Apply for planning permission (faculty) for proposed worksGet Involved
Our community survey has provided us with some great offers of help from practical building and gardening to administration and fund raising. If you would like to help in anyway please contact us.