The footings for the new toilet and food preparation area are complete. The soil removed in the process has been retained along the northern boundary of the Churchyard as the site is consecrated ground. The next stage will be the construction of the brick work for the walls, but this has been slightly delayed while the dressed stone which will surround the windows is prepared.  The new door frame and window frames have also being specially made and will be on site by the time you read this.  

A water supply pipe has been laid along the path from the lytch-gate, but it has only reached the point at which it leaves the path.  When the new path is constructed around the Church tower, the water pipe will be laid underneath it.   A large plastic safety cone marks the spot reached by the water pipe at the entrance to the Churchyard.  This bollard will have to remain in place until the work is finished as connecting the water supply will be the final stage of the construction work.  Please be careful when approaching the lytch-gate from the car parking area – particularly in the dark!  

Further excavations have been needed to lay the drainage pipes; this work has been completed and the ground re-instated.  Existing graves have been treated with great respect by the builders and an archaeologist was on hand throughout the process to identify any remains from unmarked burials, so that these can be re-buried with dignity.

We are all looking forward to the completion of this work and to making use of the new facilities that it offers, but making changes to a medieval Church requires great care and patience. The Archdeacon of Norwich will be visiting the Benefice, including Surlingham, in December and we hope that he will be pleased with the outcome and its impact on the beautiful building that we have inherited.

Information received from Derry Kelleher