Church chosen for festival

NECTON church has been chosen as one of the hosts of a countywide arts and crafts festival in May.

All Saints is one of 12 churches taking part in Art Alive in Norfolk Churches, a festival organised by the Diocese of Norwich, district councils in Breckland, Broadland and South Norfolk and the Norfolk Arts Partnership. It aims to demonstrate the skills of local artists and craftspeople and promote tourism.

Local people are encouraged to get involved in the May event and foreign tourists from Germany, Belgium and Holland are being encouraged to visit. There is a competition in the Dutch Press this month promoting the event.

All the churches have footpaths or cycle paths nearby so visitors can get out of their cars and walk or cycle through Norfolk countryside and explore the history and scenery.

A map for visitors to follow the trail between churches is being published and there will be the chance to have a go at brass rubbing, weaving and wood carving.

Each church will host a different art or craft skill and have an artist in residence.

All Saints, Necton will have a guest woodcarver demonstrating the carving of the angels, and there will be a chance to have a close-up look at the wood carvings in the hammerbeam roof.

The church is also holding a full arts festival with crafts on display over two weekends, hands-on demonstrations, music and an all- day café serving coffee, lunches and cream teas. Musical recitals and a Saturday evening concert will also be part of the festival. There will be special festival Sunday services, the final one led by the Bishop of Norwich.

Among the other churches taking part is All Saints, Welborne where there will be demonstrations of basket making and cloth weaving.

For further information visit www.norwich.anglican.org and www.nectonallsaints.com