More than 200 churches in Norfolk are getting ready to open their doors to the public as part of Norfolk Open Churches Week 2009.

From August 1 to 9, churches in the area will offer a packed programme of events, including an Ecclesiastical Car Rally, reports Network Norwich.

More than 60 cars will line up at Norwich Cathedral for the start of the rally by the Bishop of Norwich, before making their way through country lanes and stopping at churches around Norfolk.

Archdeacon Martin Gray, former Archdeacon of Lynn will be entering his 1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa in the rally.

"Last year’s rally was a lot of fun. The start at Norwich Cathedral was excellent with all the cars lined up together,” he was quoted as saying by Network Norwich.

“I much enjoyed driving from church to church, exploring wonderful Norfolk Broads churches.

“This year we will be going to a different group of churches as we head to Castle Acre. I am sure we will have an equally memorable day."

Another Norfolk church, St Mary’s Fishley, will host a flower festival centred on the theme of weddings. Off the beaten track, the small Saxon church was the scene of just 17 weddings between 1860 and 2006, but the past three years have seen some turnaround with seven wedding ceremonies held at the church.

"We are actively encouraging weddings at the church. We have had more in the last three years than in the previous 50," said church warden Ivan Barnard.

"We are also very keen on Open Churches Week. Fishley is a beautiful Saxon Church, but very isolated.

“Last year we had 293 visitors during the week and raised £400 through donations. We are looking forward to an even busier week this August."

Other churches in Norfolk are inviting visitors to take part in arts and crafts activities, including bookbinding, egg tempera painting and woodcarving.

Jennie Hawks, Open Churches Officer, Diocese of Norwich said: "Open Churches Week is our way of showing off the wonderful, historic churches which have been part of the rich history of Norfolk for over a thousand years.

“It is also the time for local communities to show their pride in their church, which was the centre of countless villages for centuries, long before we had village halls and shops! Please come and enjoy them with us."

Lydia Smith, Norfolk Tourism Team Manager said: "Norfolk is blessed with hundreds of wonderful historic churches. Open Churches Week is a great opportunity to get out and about in the county, leave the car at home and visit local churches by foot, boat, bicycle and train."


www.norwich.anglican.org/documents//ocw%20booklet%202009%20-%20web.pdf' target='_blank'>On the web: www.norwich.anglican.org/documents//ocw%20booklet%202009%20-%20web.pdf