St Ethelberts Church at Larling wins conservation award

But nestled in the middle of Norfolk farmland, is a church frozen in time lit by oil lamps and heated by a wood burning stove.

Now St Ethelbert's at Larling, near Snetterton, has won a special award in recognition of its conservation efforts. 

The accolade was given at a ceremony in the ancient Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral at the National Church Awards – dubbed the BAFTAs for churches.

The remote St Ethelberts Church at Larling, which has won a national care and conservation award (Image: Denise Bradley)

Speaking to the audience at the event, Canon Ann Easter, former chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II, said: “The judges felt that as a very small community these volunteers are very good at bringing the right people in at the right time.  

"St Ethelbert’s is not connected to power or water and thus has one of the most sustainable footprints of any church.  

"Heating is provided by a wood burning stove and lighting is from oil lamps. The organ is hand-pumped.” 

At the National Church Awards in Lincoln Cathedral: Matthew Welch (Larling’s St Ethelbert) host Canon Ann Easter, Dudley Stammers (Larling’s St Ethelbert) and host and Dean of Lincoln, Very Revd Dr Simon Jones (Image: Ashley Taylor, National Churches Trust)

She added that the judges believed the tale of St Ethelbert's brought a human story to conserving and looking after churches.  

Matthew Welch, the treasurer at St Ethelberts, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award. 

"Our heartfelt thanks go out to the National Churches Trust and all grant providers and professionals who made our recent repair project possible. 

"This award also recognises the tireless efforts of the many volunteers from our small rural community who help keep our churches alive.” 

Work under way on the church earlier this year (Image: Matthew Welch)

Repairs to the roof, upper walls and gable ends costing £57,000 were carried out earlier this year. 

Some £27,000 was raised from grants, with the remainder coming from parishioners. 

The awards, now in their third year, are organised by the National Churches Trust.  

They have been inspired this year by the work of the late Lord Patrick Cormack, a champion of church buildings, who dedicated his life to helping to keep the UK’s churches open and in use. 

Church warden Dudley Stammers lights the log burner at St Ethelberts Church at Larling (Image: Denise Bradley)

Around 200 churches were nominated this year from across the UK, from which a judging panel selected the 55 finalists and 15 winners across five categories. 

The Church of the Year award was won by the Church of St James the Great at Aslackby, near Sleaford in Lincolnshire, which stands in an isolated village with just 100 homes. 

Matthew Welch, centre, treasurer, with Rev Simon Richardson, right, and church warden, Dudley Stammers, at St Ethelberts Church at Larling, which has won a national care and conservation award (Image: Denise Bradley)