Your editorial (2 February) was right to highlight the importance of using churches as “local anchor institutions” and to praise the National Churches Trust report calling for an expansion of the secular uses of church buildings.
In Droxford, a small Hampshire village, we have rescued our Grade I Norman church from the brink of ruin to become a thriving community hub. The church now hosts Wilfrid’s – a volunteer-run cafe open five days a week, a new bell-ringing team, a computer club, and a growing heritage centre. Thanks to the popularity of the cafe and other activities, more than £10,000 was distributed last year to the local community, with over half going towards church and churchyard projects.
