Blessed relief at last after 900-year wait for the loo

It was a case of halle-loo-jah at a Sutton Valence church this weekend, when the Bishop of Dover dropped by to bless its first toilet.

More used to holy waters of a different kind, the Rt Rev Trevor Wilmott carried out an official dedication of the new facility and kitchen extension, at St Mary’s in Chart Road on Sunday.

It was built after a fundraising campaign lasting more than two years, and the blessing was held alongside the church’s regular carol service.

For centuries the Grade II listed building, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book, has served the village for baptisms, marriages, funerals, and general worship, as well as being a place for quiet reflection and the meeting place of various groups. Despite the number of people using the ancient church, however, it never had a toilet.

An appeal to change that was launched during the 2014 Easter weekend, and since then £67,000 has been raised towards the upgrade.

Work began in October on a new disabled loo, wheelchair access and expanded kitchen facilities and was completed earlier this month.

As well as money earned through events including charity concerts, dinners and raffles, the church received a £10,000 grant from the National Churches Trust for the upgrade.

Gladys Spedding, who oversaw the fundraising campaign, said: “This has been an amazing feat and much of it down to local people’s generosity.

“We wanted to provide the facilities so that people in the community could use them, and because we wanted to make the church more accessible. We are delighted to have finished and to have the official dedication and blessing by Bishop Wilmott.”

It is not the first time he has blessed a toilet. In 2013 the bishop dedicated a loo at St Mark’s Church in Ramsgate. He has also blessed a post office in Goodnestone and stones used in Canterbury Cathedral’s restoration.