Visitors throw their weight behind our vision

The drive to repair and modernise St Mary’s Totnes in order to expand its usefulness to the wider community has significant and widespread support from the public, according to a survey commissioned by the Totnes Heritage Trust.

A poll of roughly 600 people who passed through the church since the installation of its informational touchscreen shows a clear inclination for the building to be restored as both a place of worship and a venue for community events.

“We’ve always felt we were on the right track,” said Rev Jim Barlow. “But it is very comforting when you have the public giving you their seal of approval.”

The survey was conducted by Freeline GFX of Exeter, using a programme installed on the large touchscreen in the exhibition area of the church. Its findings include:

• The single biggest suggestion for what the church should offer is a community cafe.

• The staging of fairs and festivals also garnered a significant amount of support, as well as dramatic productions.

• A large number of respondents were interested in learning more about the history of the 500-year-old church.

A quarter of the respondents considered themselves tourists, while 5 per cent were visiting from abroad.

John Birch, chair of the Trust, expressed satisfaction at what he saw as a public endorsement of the group’s efforts.

“Our goal has always been to provide an inspiring, fully useable and fit-for-purpose place for worship, music and the arts to serve the community of Totnes - and now we know that goal sits comfortably with the public we are seeking to serve.”