Royal visit for church after transformation into community venue

The Duke of Edinburgh is to pay a visit to a church in Edinburgh on Thursday following its radical transformation into a multi-purpose venue for the community.

He will visit Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church where he will tour the new facilities and meet with local groups and schoolchildren.

The Duke of Edinburgh is the royal patron of the congregation’s Inside Out project, which has been taking the church’s work and identity out into the parish following the £1.2 million refurbishment works in the lower part of the building.

Minister Rev Joanne Hood said members were buoyed by the royal visit: “To have someone like the Duke of Edinburgh endorse what we’re doing is hugely encouraging for the whole congregation.

“When we started this project we wanted to become a catalyst in the community, and this will help us gather momentum as we look towards refitting the sanctuary.

“Since the official opening last month we have had lots of enquiries about available space, and it could soon be likely that all of our rooms are being used to capacity.”

A group for adults with learning disabilities has already set up home in the lower halls, and the church also accommodates youth organisations, music groups and conferences.

It is hoped it could become an official venue for the Edinburgh Festival and will be an even more attractive performance space after the sanctuary is rewired and refitted.