Earlier this summer, St Mary’s Reepham received the news that it had been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake repair work to the tower of the church.
 
As part of this work, the church is working with local schools and the community to uncover more about the secrets of the churches of Reepham.
 
Reepham is certainly unusual as it has three churches in one churchyard: St Mary’s Reepham, St Michaels Whitwell and All Saints Hackford. The first two of these are used on a regular basis for worship and community events; however, the third church was burnt down in 1543.
 
Elements of All Saints church did remain standing in the churchyard after the fire, but these were pulled down almost entirely in the 1790s. Only one fragment now remains standing (above) – the rest is hidden underground.
 
In October 2015 a geophysical survey was undertaken in the area of All Saints to establish if it was possible to find the outline of the church. This survey was successful and will now be followed up with a day of archaeological excavation in the churchyard to try and uncover more of the disappeared church.
 
Partners from Dig Ventures will be on site to dig three test pits in the churchyard, to process and display any finds they have discovered and will be on hand all day to answer any questions and to get people involved. This event is free and is suitable for all ages.
 
For more information about the event, contact Saul Penfold on 01692 407303.
 
See our earlier stories:

• Church awarded Heritage Lottery Fund grant
• Plans for All Saints Hackford to become a place of reflection
• Gift day raises funds for Three Churches Project
• Three Churches Project gets the green light
• Lottery funding bid to repair St Mary’s church tower