The villagers of Okeford Fitzpaine, Dorset are fighting to prevent the removal of the pews from the historic church of St Andrew’s, which will be replaced with cafeteria style chairs.   The reasons given for the removal are to cater for obese people, to make a more useable community space and for the sake of social distancing.  The cost of the replacement chairs is in excess of £10,000!  Other works planned for the church include moving the font, putting in a toilet and a kitchen, in effect turning the church into a community hall.   The village already has a very useable community hall, as well as football hall.  A third such venue is simply not needed, especially when the cost of the changes to the church will be in excess of £300,000!!   This is a disgraceful and unnecessary waste of funds.  There are far more worthy causes than spending £300,000 on a project that the majority of the parishioners are against!

Despite the claims of the Vicar and PCC, the majority of the village knew nothing of the intention to remove the pews until just recently.  Repeated requests to view the minutes of the PCC meetings have been refused by the vicar!   Please help us save the pews by signing the petition!  Thank you!