Sponsored by
Trust takes over ancient church
A village church has reached the latest milestone in its nine-century history after being handed over to a charitable trust.
The medieaval Church of St Margaret of Antioch in Knotting has passed into the ownership of The Churches Conservation Trust, which will pay for maintenance of the building.
The last service was held in December 2007 – and Mr EF Clark, parish
correspondent and honorary clerical assistant to the rector, said the new arrangement was a welcome development.
He said: "The church needs somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 spending on it. It has been here since before the Norman invasion, and parts of the building date back to the Saxons although we don't know which bits.
"The name of Knotting is a Saxon word, which means something like 'place of the sons of knut'. It is a very old place and people have lived here for a very long time."
The church includes a chancel arch which dates back to Norman times, a 13th century south transept and a tower which was added probably in 1615.
A number of furnishing and fittings inside date back to the 1800s, and there is an unusual 17th century two-deck pulpit with tester.
At the last census the parish had a population of 43 – but Mr Clark says the history of the church includes some colourful characters.
He said: "When we had the last service 16 months ago we had in attendance a 16th generation descendent of one of the rectors.
"That rector was defrocked in his time by order of Archbishop Laud for allowing the chancel to be used for betting and cock-fighting.
"There is a lot of history here, but this change is a positive step. The charity has a steady income and it will mean we can maintain the building."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
