ST MARTIN’S CHURCH
THOMPSON\n\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\nThompson is an ancient settlement dating from the 10th century and the church of St Martin<\/strong> dates from approximately 1300. Our timeline shows a fascinating history since its endowment as a Collegiate Church in 1349 and the building of the college in which six priests resided. Several influential people have been associated with the church, including John Pory, who was born in Thompson in 1572 and became the first Speaker of the first Legislative Assembly in Virginia, and Prince Frederick Duleep Singh who helped save the church 100 years ago.<\/p>\n Our church is once again in need of help.\u00a0 The work to the nave roof was much more extensive, complex & unfortunately more expensive than we expected and as a result we have had to postpone works to the chancel roof, which is likely to be suffering from the same issues as the nave, and also the below ground rain water drainage system, without which the fabric of the church will not fully dry out. This is before we start on the interior….<\/p>\n It has a rare 5 cant scissor-braced nave roof which we have recently restored.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\t It is a unique and largely unmodernised gem of historic importance; a Grade 1 listed mediaeval building, said to be the finest example of the Decorated style in East Anglia.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\t It has many unusual medieval and Jacobean features which need to be preserved.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\t The roof structure is a rare example from the first half of the 14th century of a scissor braced roof and consists of 40 pairs of rafters. Sadly the rafter ends had rotted away and only thin clay lump walls prevented the roof from spreading.\u00a0 Luckily we caught the problem just in time and have repaired each of the 80 rafter ends using traditional techniques and new materials to match existing. The work was far more extensive than originally envisaged and although we had a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund we also managed to secure extra funding from many generous donors.<\/p>\n \u2022 Help to re-focus religious and community activities in the church and its immediate surrounds.<\/p>\n \u2022 Enhance community cohesion and outreach (local, national and international).<\/p>\n\u2022 Using the church as backdrop, enable the PCC to deliver hands on experience to visitors of archaeology, history, heritage, education \u2022 Secure the mediaeval fabric and associated artwork.<\/p>\n \u2022 Protect the environment, ecology and wildlife.<\/p>\n Revitalising St Martin’s Church, Thompson, Norfolk<\/p>\n\n\t\tLetter from Vanessa – May 2026\n\t<\/h1>\n\t\n
‘Memories of Childhood Summer Holidays….’
\nAs I write, I’m sitting on our canal boat, moored up on the river Nene, listening to the sounds around me. There are birds chirping, ducks, geese and swans swimming, and the distant sound across the valley of sheep bleating, cows mooing and farmers
\nworking in the fields on their tractors.
\nThese sights and sounds take me right back to my own school holidays mostly spent at Jotmans Farm in Benfleet, Essex, the village where I grew
\nup. At that time it used to be a dairy farm, and the milk was sold to Howard’s Dairy but, over the years, it’s been turned into stables where horses are kept at livery. There’s a footpath that runs between the farm and the railway line all the way to St Margaret’s Church, Bowers Gifford. Nanny would often take us blackberry picking there, but we never returned with many berries!
\nDuring the week, my friend Susan and I would walk to Jotmans farm to help the farmers with the cows. Discovering how a farm worked, helping the cowman, and walks to the church with nanny, led to many adventures and a lifetime of enjoying country life.
\nWhen things were going well, the exhilarating sense of team and fun working together, even if farming itself never seemed to be ‘in my blood’ as it was for everyone else, was infectious!
\nCollaborating in a common purpose, and working alongside each other with a strong desire to see
\nothers flourish, brought me so much joy, as it still does. There is a danger, though, that sometimes we end up serving through a sense of duty (what we should and ought to be doing) especially when we’re run down or exhausted, rather than as a response to the overflow of God’s generous gift of love first given to us. I guess we’re all human!
\nI know I’ve said this before, but I’m always amazed and thankful to so many in our congregations and
\nwider community who go far beyond giving of themselves in order to bring ‘salt and light’ to others.
\nBut what gives me the greatest hope, as I continue serving alongside you lovely people in Wayland Benefice, is remembering that it’s not actually about us, in the end, is it? it’s more about letting God have His way and praying that ‘His will be done on earth’.
\nWith love and many blessings
\nVanessa.
\nX<\/h1>\n\tWhy is St\u00a0Martin’s so important?<\/h1>\n\t
The problem
\nfor this unique building…<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t![\"Screenshot_3\"](\"http:\/\/www.stmartinsthompson.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Screenshot_3.jpg\" "\\"Screenshot_3\\"")
\n\t\n\t\tIf we are to continue with our restoration project we still have a shortfall of at least \u00a3150,000 and still need YOUR HELP.\n\t<\/h2>\n\tSo far the PCC has engaged with the HLF, architects, cost consultants, archaeologists, churchyard wildlife and internal fabric experts. Despite all their expertise the shortfall remains very real but we are determined to meet it head on with YOUR assistance.
\nSt Martin’s history is local, national and international (especially through Prince Frederick Duleep Singh and John Pory’s association with the first Virginia Legislative Assembly).
\nThese prestigious links must never be lost. Your donations will ensure this historical gem in the beautiful Norfolk countryside will attract visitors from home and overseas. \n\n\t\tYour donations will:\n\t<\/h2>\n\t
\nand enactment.\n\n\t\tThere is a lot to do, enable and deliver.
PLEASE BE GENEROUS
\n\t<\/h1>\n\n\t\tHow you can donate\n\t<\/h2>\n
\n\t\tJust Giving Page\n\t<\/h3>\n\t
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