Latest news with #UnitedReformChurch
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Whitehaven residents asked for views on town's new masterplan
Residents of a town are being asked for their views on how their area should grow and living in Whitehaven in Cumbria are being asked for their opinions on a new masterplan being drawn up by Cumberland council's deputy leader Emma Williamson said a drop-in event was "just the beginning of a longer conversation" about the town's will be held on 5 August at the United Reform Church in James Street between 14:00 and 19:00 BST, during which people can offer feedback. "Whether you are a local resident, worker, business owner or visitor, we want to understand what you feel Whitehaven town centre needs to make it a better place to live, work, shop and visit," she said."We want to build on the positive steps already taken to improve the town centre and we're putting in place a clear timeline to turn local priorities into action."The council said since it was established in 2023, it had invested more than £2.45m in Whitehaven. The masterplan will focus on three areas - energising the harbour, enhancing the public realm, and revitalising the historic also aims to boost economic growth, improve transport and redevelop heritage assets, particularly on King Street. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Row over plans to transform old United Reform Church in Norwich
A plan to transform a disused church into a cultural and arts centre with a bar is expected to be given the proposal would see the former United Reform Church in Princes Street, Norwich turned into a venue with space for 300 people.A report for city councillors said more than 600 people had signed an online petition backing the idea – and advises them to approve planning 101 people have objected, with concerns raised over noise and anti-social behaviour in the area, along with fears the church could become a nightclub. The dispute over the plans has led to one set of solicitors accusing another of trying to "bully" the council. Sitting empty since closing as a place of worship in 2020, a developer has put forward plans which would see the building used as a venue to host cultural events, classical music concerts and plans would also see the site used for art exhibitions and fitness classes, with features – including the church's historic organ – being preserved.A report for the council's planning committee said an online petition backed the idea, along with 41 people writing letters of person writing in favour said "spaces for positive and creative activities are essential" whilst another said it "would be an unbelievable asset".But there is strong opposition from others, with many concerned the building would be open until the early hours.A legal letter sent on behalf of one local landlord claimed the plan was to use the building as a nightclub, which would have a "serious, irreparable and unacceptable impact" on response, the developer's solicitors said the claim was "grossly unfair and based on a false premise" and the letter had sought "to bully the local planning authority into refusing the application". The report for councillors said that, with proposed closing times of no later than 11pm, the hours for the building "differ significantly from those typical of a nightclub".It recommends they give planning permission, subject to conditions including restricted opening hours and measures to insulate planning committee will vote on the plan on Thursday, where they will also decide on proposals for a piano bar at another nearby former church, which have also been recommended for approval. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
'It's a bit bonkers': Huge 7kg charity Easter egg stolen from church
A church in Stockport has received immense support from the community after a charity easter egg was stolen whilst their choir group sang. United Reform Church in Heaton Moor has received a series of donations since they were robbed of the 7kg egg, which was being put in a raffle to raise money for charity. The "whip around" was organised after a thief snuck into the church whilst the local choir group rehearsed, in what members of Stockport's PopVox choir have labelled a "bonkers" theft. READ MORE: It was supposed to be routine dog training exercise, but it ended in tragedy READ MORE: 'We've been in Ancoats for 77 years and said no to every developer' Krista Procter, a member of the choir, said: "It's like a bit bonkers that it's been taken, really, but just such a shame for the church. "The church clearly needs the funds to raise for people that need it. So I think everybody just felt quite sad, really, that it had been done while the choir was singing, which is a really sort of nice, happy time, then something like that happened." The culprit, who snuck in a "window of opportunity" whilst the group sang on march 27, has still not been found. "Somebody, while the choir were rehearsing, went in and took the egg," she said "We know it happened during the window that the choir rehearsed upstairs, the door's often just left on like the latch kind of thing, you know, anybody could open it." The church, which has often held collections for food banks and "all sorts of charities", has since received generous donations, with one local business donating £100 worth of Easter eggs. Krista said: "It's just snowballed from there really and we were just sort of wondering whether the local community could perhaps bring an egg in and just try and help the church out a little bit." "Its really been quite moving that something so lovely has come out of the theft and I know the church are quite moved by the support and have also now been gifted a replacement large egg to go with Popvox choirs huge collection." They have so far raised around 60 Easter eggs to include in the raffle, which is aiming to raise money for Dementia Friendly Heatons, with funds aiming to cover their "Spring Fling afternoon tea and dance event" for dementia patients and their carers at The Village Hotel in Cheadle. They are appealing for donations on their JustGiving page aiming to raise £1000 for the charity, with people being able to contribute at
