A view from the Vicarage...

Dear Friends,

Much has been written over the last few months about the steady ‘de-Christianisation’ of certain aspects of our society life. At St. Mary’s church, Chinley, we decided we needed to become more prominent. Not having the most noticeable building in the world, there have been numerous occasions when I’ve been asked ‘Where is the church?’ or ‘Do you mean the one by the bridge at the Wash?’ or told ‘I didn’t know there was a church in Chinley!’

Cross-Words

It was decided to resurrect, literally, an old rusting cross which had lain dormant at the back of the building for years. We were delighted to hear that after a careful bit of negotiation, a local tradesman offered to renovate it and powder coat it in bright red paint for free. A number of volunteers heaved the seven foot cross into place, viewed it from various angles, decided on the spot, dug a hole and held it in concrete until it stood firm.

A new sign to the car park, plus our previously renewed external notice board have helped in some way towards the possibility of getting us noticed. So what a disappointment it was to be contacted by the High Peak Borough planning office, within three days of our new cross being erected, to be told that ‘members of the public’ had contacted them with a complaint that they thought the cross had been put up without planning permission.

Cross Purposes

The explanation, when it was given, was clear enough: A business may have one form of external advertising for free. Anything else requires planning permission. Our noticeboard is our ‘free’ advertising. Our cross, a further form of ‘advertisement’ for our ‘business’ requires permission. Well, perhaps we were naďve not to enquire in the first place. We have now submitted a retrospective request for permission with the appropriate fee. The law is there, though we did not realize it, and must be adhered to. That is not in question. But I hope that my disappointment is shared by others on several issues.

Firstly, I’m sad that those who made their complaint could neither see a benefit, or recognize that there was no hindrance to pedestrians or traffic, or feel able to speak to myself or a church member before heading straight for the planning office.

Secondly, I reflect that the foremost symbol of the Christian faith, (which is indeed advertising our business and always will do) and which used to stand proudly all round the land with no questions asked, can now only be erected with permission. We cannot advertise too much, it seems. I wonder if the Romans applied to the planning office before their crucifixions?

Your friend and Vicar, Hilary A. Edgerton