On the way back from Norfolk

On the way home from Norfolk I called in at a couple of churches

St. Peter & St. Paul, Swaffham

St. Peter & St. Paul, Swaffham among the churchyard trees

A large, town centre church which is open every day. The signs outside make this clear and that visitors are welcome. There were guide books and stall selling cards, prayer cards, book marks, mugs, marmalade and some children’s gifts as well as one of two other things. On checking the visitors book I found that 85 had signed it in the last month – quite a few people are calling in here. There is a prayer board to use. This is an interesting church to visit in a busy little town. Yet more used books for sale!

I rate this church as good for the visitor.

St. Mary’s, Mildenhall

This church was always firmly locked but is now open each day. It is well worth looking at because of it’s wonderful angel roof as well as many other items of interest. The sign outside is pretty basic but there is a good welcome in the porch. Inside there is a newly produce guide book as well as a cheap mini guide and a laminated sheet to carry around. Quite a bit of thought has gone into welcoming visitors here. There are various gifts for sale as well as some gospels to take and some of the good Prayer Trust booklets on various subjects to do with the Christian faith. One table has two jigsaws on it, partly completed. I am not sure quite why they are here and I didn’t add any pieces. This church has featured in the ‘Angels and Pinnacles’ scheme run by the Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich. The leaflet for this was around as was the children’s guide. There is also a Prayer Book Society display on the 350 years of the BCP as well as some displays on local history. Pilgrims can also light a candle at the votive stand and there are some prayer slips to leave prayer requests. I rate St. Mary’s as very good.