Kings Worthy congregation to get another say on controversial plans to update church (From Andover Advertiser)
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Kings Worthy congregation to get another say on controversial plans to update church
12:00pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in Winchester
Parishioners at St Mary's Church, Kings Worthy, will get another say on whether major changes go ahead
KINGS Worthy residents will be given another say on major changes to a village church.
A parochial church council meeting last month approved proposals for a new forward communion table and audiovisual system at St Mary’s Church.
The £40,000 scheme would involve a fixed camera, drop down screens, and improvements to the wiring, heating and lighting.
But rector Rev Alan Gordon said everyone on the church’s ecclesiastical electoral roll would be asked if they were in favour as part of the next step of the process.
He said: “The Diocesan Advisory Committee, which makes a final decision, likes to see support from the congregation so if the answer comes back ‘no’, then everything will fail.
“This is an additional element to the process that we have decided to do in light of the representations from the congregation who were unhappy with the plans.”
Several parishioners have objected to the plans because they felt it would harm the character of the 14th Century church and disturb the peace and quiet.
Rev Gordon added the PCC decision was not unanimous and that some members still had concerns over the forward communion table.
