WHAT a relief!

A special grant means Whitwell Parish Church can get to the bottom of a real problem.

The church has received a Biffa Award grant of £67,853.69 for the installation of a toilet and kitchen facilities.

The lack of a toilet has caused particular difficulty for many parishioners and visitors who need this facility.

Project manager Rose Ashton said: “We are delighted to accept this fantastic award and look forward to working with Biffa Award as our funding partner.”

Installation of a kitchen will also help the church building to be used in new and innovative ways for the benefit of the community.

Rev Nigel Porter added: “We are extremely grateful for the Biffa Award grant as it recognises the valiant efforts local people have made to get a toilet and kitchen installed in the church, and the value of the church to the local community.”

Gillian French, Biffa Award head of grants, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting a project with such a fantastic community focus. We can’t wait to see how the church is going to be transformed”

Congratulatory messages have also been received from Rt Rev Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth and Ven Peter Sutton, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight. Both are patrons of the appeal.

A special message of congratulations has come from, Alan Titchmarsh, who said: “I am absolutely delighted you succeeded in gaining your funding.”

Work is scheduled to begin in September.