Previous Interviews

Great Witley Church

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Previous Interviews

All views expressed are those of the interviewee

Alan Norkett Charles Nasmyth-Shaw

Alan Norkett.jpg (25062 bytes)

60 second interview with Alan Norkett,
Rector of Great Witley Church

1. What do you see as the Church's main aims this year and in the longer term?	Working together across the whole benefice which includes Shrawley, Little Witley, Astley & Abberely as well as Great Witley.
2. To what extent do you feel we have turned to religion for guidance and reassurance after recent world events?	There is an increase in church attendance across the nation. We are still working at it but slowly it is increasing. The Family services are quite good.
3. How do you think our website can help support what the Church does?	Publicise special events and services and show that above all this church is not a museum but an active live church to the Glory of God.
4. How can parishoners and visitors best help to support, maintain and further all that Great Witley Church stands for?	Why not stay for a service? On one occasion when a service was about to start there was a mad dash to the door. Perhaps they didn`t understand what God gives to them and they can`t afford to give him some of the time he gives them!!

60 second interview with Charles Nasmyth-Shaw,
Churchwarden of Great Witley Church

What are the Church's main aims for 2002 ?	*To develop our new visitor centre as more than just a tearoom.* We also aim not only to put more "bums on pews" but to provide greater support out in the community where people are swinging wildly on the trapeze of life without the safety harness (who said crutch?) of faith which we enjoy.
What are the Church's main aims for the future ?	There is a pressing need to restore the cupola, the gilded cross, the clock faces and the bells. Fundraising is always going on for a building like this and unfortunately attaches a mercenary aspect to much of what we do. It is however an important and necessary part of Church life - reports of the fabulous wealth of the Church of England are somewhat biased and exaggerated.
What is the biggest problem to be solved in 2002 ?	The same as the biggest problem of 2001, 2000, 1999 and further. The condition of the access road which deters visitors, concert goers and worshippers. We are desperately in need of materials and roadbuilding expertise.
How do you think our website can help support what the Church does?	Communication is the key. Hopefully it will be a two way process and by communicating we find out what people want and hopefully dispel the widely held view that churchgoers are a bunch of holier-than-thou hypocrites who only want your money! *I like the interactive aspect.*

© www.greatwitleychurch.org.uk
Britain's finest Baroque Church. St. Michael and All Angels Church, Great Witley, A443 Worcester - Tenbury Wells road, 10 miles north-west of Worcester. As the parish church for the villages of Great Witley and Little Witley it is used regularly for services and concerts. The church is open to visitors daily. The church, now almost fully restored, displays a splendour which is unique amongst country churches in Britain, with exquisite gilded decorations throughout, numerous paintings by Antonio Bellucci, ten painted glass windows depicting scenes from the New Testament, highly decorative carving and a large monument by Rysbrack. It also has a fine organ, its case being from the instrument on which Handel played. Many musicians consider its acoustics for music to be as fine as any building of its size outside London