Villagers at Little Bealings split over church cafe

The congregation of Little Bealings has been split over the way the coffee shop has been run - with claims that some had not wanted it to be started in the first place.

There have been tensions in the village for some time, going back to the decision by the church to sell the Angela Cobbold Hall several years ago.

The Hall was sold but was bought by the community and remains in use - but the money raised helped to ensure the future of the church.

Some of that money was put into the church to create a community cafe which opened in August 2018 with the aim of creating a community space for the people of Little Bealings.

It also received grants and donations to help fund the cafe and support the work of the church in the parish.

 It was hoped that the cafe would open four days a week serving hot food for local residents - but that has not been achieved and its operation has led to splits in the congregation.

Plans for the new cafe in the church were unveiled in 2018 with then Priest in Charge Rev Celia Cook, centre, and Helen Clarkson-Fieldsend (right) (Image: Paul Geater)

One of the prime movers behind opening the cafe, Helen Clarkson-Fieldsend, said a volunteer had offered to run it four days a week but the offer was rejected by a new Parochial Church Council.

The cafe was now only used on Wednesday mornings and for a Saturday Prayer group and there had been tensions in the village.

This had not been helped by the fact that two female Priests-in-Charge of Little Bealings had moved on - one after only a few weeks in the parish.

Ms Clarkson-Fieldsend, whose family had made a substantial donation towards the cost of opening the cafe, said: "It seems such a shame.

"It's now reached the stage where some people refuse to shake my hand during the communion service at the church."

Questions about the situation at Little Bealings were referred to the Diocesan authorities.

Ven Rich Henderson said the diocese was supporting parishioners in Little Bealings. (Image: Newsquest)

The Archdeacon of Suffolk, Ven Rich Henderson, said: “The current members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC), supported by the Diocese, are committed to developing the use of All Saint’s Church, Little Bealings, so it continues to be a valued and much-loved community asset for everyone in the village.

“The space currently operates as a café two days a week, serving drinks and lunches on Wednesdays and coffee and cake on Saturdays.

"It hosts mid-week prayers and fortnightly church services and has a number of upcoming events planned, including a new sewing group and a music concert in June.

“We recognise there have been a range of views and plans around how the community uses the church and we understand the PCC has recently conducted a survey to find out how best to further develop use of this space going forwards.

“We are grateful for the generosity of everyone in the village who has donated their time, effort and funding to the church and we will continue to support the PCC in bringing the community together for the benefit of everyone.”