Reordering

The petition sought approval for the replacement of moveable audio-visual equipment with permanently fixed equipment in a Grade I listed late 14th century church, which would involve the removal of three pews to make room for a mixing desk. There were two parties opponent and three other objectors and the matter was determined on written representations. Faculty granted subject to conditions that (1) all equipment was to be indelibly marked, (2) certain equipment should be fitted with tracker devices and (3) the mixing desk should have front and sides made from the pews that would be removed.

A faculty was sought for reordering, which included works to the south porch and the west end of the nave of the Grade I listed church, including the repositioning of three rows of pews and adjustment of floor levels. The Chancellor granted a faculty

The proposal was to hang an ebony and ivory cross above the pulpit, with a small silver plaque nearby. The cross was a gift in memory of two former parishioners. There was one objection from a member of the Parpochial Church Council. As the majority of the Parochial Church Council were in favour of the proposal, the Chancellor granted a faculty.

The PCC decided to replace the late 19th century pipe organ with a digital organ. An application was made for an interim faculty to install the digital organ, but to leave the pipe organ in situ, pending the grant of a permanent faculty. An interim faculty was granted. One parishioner objected to the purchase of the digital organ, principally on the basis of the cost. Faculty granted.

Faculty granted for a new audio-visual system for a Grade I church, to include two monitor screens mounted on mobile trollies; two monitors screens mounted on poles; and three monitor screens mounted on the walls.

The petitioners wished to remove 25 pews at the rear of the church to provide space and flexibility to equip the church for community events. They also sought to install a new stained-glass window in the Chad Chapel. Notwithstanding concerns from amenity societies about the design of the proposed new window, and concerns of the Victorian Society as to the number of pews to be removed, the Chancellor granted a faculty.

In 1959, a faculty had been granted to authorise the introduction into the church of a painting entitled 'Ecce, Homo', which was attributed to Murillo. The Chancellor was now asked to grant a confirmatory faculty for the loan of the painting to the Bristol Art Gallery in 2012, which had taken place without the authority of a faculty. The Church Buildings Council supported the loan in the interests of the care and security of the painting, subject to a good quality copy being placed in the church. The Chancellor granted a faculty subject to that condition.

The proposals included: "to install an electronically operated retractable projector screen, to be installed behind the chancel arch; to install a projector which will be discreetly mounted in front of the screen on one of the roof beams; to install four monitors to be positioned so as to be clearly seen – two from the altar ...". English Heritage and the Victorian Society objected. The Chancellor considered the principles laid down in Re St. Alkmund Duffield, and determined to grant a Faculty: "I am persuaded both by their very limited visibility [the screens] and the reversibility of the project and the liturgical needs of the church that those needs significantly outweigh the modest harm which may be caused."

The Vicar and Churchwardens sought a faculty to authorise a substantial reordering of the church. This judgment deals with the first phase: replacement of pews with chairs, the levelling/replacement of the floor, the construction of a chancel dais, and the installation of two toilets, one of which will be accessible. Initial consultation with, and the views of, the Diocesan Advisory Committee, Historic England, the Church Buildings Council and the Victorian Society had been on the understanding that the proposed replacement chair would be an all wood 'Theo' chair, but when the petition came before the Chancellor the petitioners had chosen instead a metal-framed, upholstered 'SB2M' chair. The Chancellor approved in principle all the items, but was not prepared to approve the SB2M chair without further consultation taking place with the before-mentioned bodies and a further opportunity for the petitioners to consider an alternative chair or make a stronger case for the SB2M chair.

The proposed works were: removal of the front two pews and pew fronts in the nave, together with two radiators; electrical sockets to be relocated; and carpeting to match existing. The Chancellor considered that the proposed works would not damage the overall significance of the church as a listed Victorian church and that there was a clear justification for carrying out the proposals, in view of the “public benefit and particularly the opportunities for mission and putting the church to viable uses that are consistent with its role as a place of worship and mission”. He therefore granted a faculty.