ST BRIAVELS' St Mary's parish church last week celebrated the opening up of the building for disabled and wider community use. The £70,000 alterations included the re-opening of "the Devil's door" – the north door blocked up about 250 years ago.
"A new pathway along the north side of the church through the churchyard provides a level entrance for disabled and wheelchair access," says churchwarden Mr Hubert Morse. "This avoids the 14 steps down to the main entrance.
"A section of the former clergy vestry provides new toilet facilities to disabled-users standards. The remainder of the space has been refurbished to provide modern facilities and storage.
"The final part of the works provides double glass doors to the doorway between the south aisle and south transept, with a glass screen between that area and the choir. This encloses the Lady Chapel to enable it to be used as a community room."
The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev David Bentley, officiated at last Thursday's dedication service.
Funding for the Millennium Project came from various sources. The Millennium Commission, through Rural Churches in the Community Service, provided £25,000. The Gloucestershire Environment Trust, with landfill tax donated by Cory Environmental, gave £5,000.
The Gloucester Diocese and Garfield Western Trust each granted £3,000, and other trusts provided £5,600.
"The parochial church council is very grateful for the above grants and many generous individual donations," says Mr Morse.