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THE campaign to save Thornbury's parish church from a radical refurbishment is gathering momentum.

More than 30 worried worshippers and non-churchgoers alike attended a meeting on Friday to see a display about the controversial modernisation of St Mary's Church and to air their views.

Campaign organiser Lois Elford, a member of St Mary's choir, said: "The stark reality is that most Thornbury residents have simply not asked for a gutting of their parish church.

"These proposals are particularly offensive to long-standing residents who can trace family connections with the church back several generations."

Church elders announced plans to re-order the interior of the 12th century church last year and immediately faced opposition from parishioners.

Proposals to take out the church's Victorian pews have been at the heart of protesters' objections but church leaders say removing the old-fashioned seating is essential to make the historic building more accessible and relevant' to 21st century needs.

Rev David Primrose, vicar of Thornbury who is currently on a sabbatical for four months, said at the launch of the proposals: "The Victorians carried out the last major re-ordering to suit the needs of their own time. Now we think the time is right to make changes that will ensure St Mary's remains relevant to the people of Thornbury."

Rev Craig Bishop, who was at Friday's meeting, said: "It is lovely to have people who are concerned about the church even if they have disparate views.

"The consultation process is open and ongoing and we are still very eager to hear people's views.

"The more people we hear from the more confidence we will have that the church will remain at the centre of the town for the next 900 years."

Resident Charles Eardley-Wilmot felt the meeting was "a complete shambles".

He said: "It was totally undemocratic and I was disappointed and disgusted.

"There was no discussion or compromise and it was a one-way, very narrow street."

Mr Eardley-Wilmot said he was not against the removal of the pews but he did want to see a thorough and fair consultation on the plans.

He said plans were under way to invite respected historian, museum curator and Anglican Sir Roy Strong to Thornbury to give his views on modernising churches.

Sir Strong has just this week appeared in the national press writing about the challenges in updating the interiors of churches.

1:57pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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