Parishioners furious over plans to modernise Fairford church (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Parishioners furious over plans to modernise Fairford church

A HOLY row has broken out over plans to modernise Fairford's famous 15th century parish church.

St Mary's parochial church council wants to remove a number of pews in the main part of the building and install a new altar to create more space for services.

But parishioners are furious and say the scheme is a waste of money that will ruin the church, famous for its medieval stained glass windows.

Eileen Godwin, 70, who has been a bellringer at the church for 56 years, said: "It will ruin the church and a lot of people are very concerned about it.

"It's been my parish church all my life and I don't want to see it changed just for the sake for change.

"To spend so much money changing our beautiful church when a fifth of the world is starving seems to me to be unchristian."

Parishioner Meg Perry, 72, a lifelong Fairford resident, said: "I have links with St Mary's going back to the 1800s, and I don't think these unnecessary and expensive plans will do anything to help the church.

"People who haven't lived in Fairford very long are coming in and changing our church to follow what is fashionable."

Nigel Gibbs, who has attended St Mary's for 25 years, said: "There has not been enough consultation."

Resident Dorothy Paton said many people, especially non-church-goers, did not know about the project.

She has circulated letters urging townsfolk to inspect the plans and make their views known.

"Many people telephoned me when they got my letter to thank me and to say they didn't know what was happening."

The new altar is planned as part of an upgrade which could cost up to £200,000 and also includes installing a new sound system, lighting and creating storage space.

Tim Mowat, church warden, said the plans will bring St Mary's into line with other churches and allow more modern style services to be held.

"We had a meeting in November 2000 attended by about 100 people, the majority of whom said they wanted the changes," he said.

"It will not change the medieval fabric of the church.

"The new altar will not be fixed, meaning we can move it to create space for children to perform drama and for choirs and music."

A meeting to discuss the plans, which are on display in the church, is being held at St Mary's at 2.30pm on Sunday.