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The Minster Planning for a Green Future
 Our Vision is that the Minster is an inspiring, reflective, and joyous space for everyone, where lives are enriched and horizons widened
Ongoing review and analysis have shown The Minster contributes to the wider community in a multitude of ways. It is evident we need to prepare it to serve the needs of Great Yarmouth for the next century and beyond. Our planning for a green future must blur the walls between church and extensive churchyard to ensure the Minster remains at the living centre of our town’s life
Father Simon, Paul Davies, and Paul Spychal have been working with ‘A Different View’ for nine months. We are on target to submit a substantive Expression of Interest to the Heritage Lottery Fund by January 2024 (in accordance with the newly revised criteria for submission). Our specific work for the autumn of 2023 is to identify, agree and promote community links and partnerships which will enhance the life of our town
We are very grateful for the support and funding provided by the Great Yarmouth Minster Preservation Trust to enable this work to be carried out
Our plan is innovative, green, and original involving discreet ground source heating and discreet roof-mounted solar panels which will heat our church and provide excess generated energy to benefit the wider community. Early estimates of solar power generation from the east end flat roofs are 55kW. Using the roof valleys over the nave would more than double this figure to over 100kW
We aim to work with people constructively to benefit our wider community. Targeting the challenging and very real needs of our residents and town is paramount to the plan
We think of the internal Minster space and outside space as one. Our outside space will benefit the community. This may involve seating with benches and tables, gardening, and growing opportunities for the community, play and pack away, a performance and meeting stone circle area for schools and heritage groups, open spaces to benefit mental health and wellbeing with opportunities for work / training and volunteering. Our Expression of Interest has identified three working roles (Community, Administration and Project) to carry the plan forward
Site visits will take place, soon, by the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) and Historic England (HE) to consider our plans to Green the Minster. DAC and HE advice is most welcome to the project. We are also grateful to Great Yarmouth Borough Council who have expressed initial support
Paul Spychal
Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in Great Yarmouth or surrounding district?
If so, email judith.edmonds@ntlworld.com with details and, if possible, a suitable picture(s)
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