Rev urges drinkers to ‘raise a glass’ to £4.5m plans for church
Festival-goers will be urged to take and share their own ‘selfies’ with a pint of beer at Holy Trinity Church next week, when it hosts the Hull Real Ale and Cider Festival for the fourth year running.
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Hide AdThe Rev Matt Woodcock, who will be taking his own selfie today to promote the event, said it was a “bit of fun” and a way of interacting with nearly 3,000 followers on Twitter, many of whom do not go to church.
More than £2m has been donated so far – including £130,000 from an unnamed benefactor –to transform the Grade I-listed church and make it a key cultural and tourism venue. Drinkers will be asked to donate a £1.50 beer token to the regeneration fund and pledge their support for the changes.
There has been some opposition to plans to remove pews to form a space for banquets, concerts and cultural events and take down the churchyard wall, but Mr Woodcock said: “Unfortunately these are non-negotiable.”
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Hide AdHe said: “None of the great cathedrals have pews in there – in a sense they are the newest things in there as they were built in Victorian times. The pew ends will be carefully preserved so while I can understand why people might be upset we have to do what we believe is right for the church.”
Mr Woodcock will be pulling pints throughout the event. He said: “It’s just an incredible way to engage with people. It is one of the highlights of my year – and not just because of the beer.”
After initial misgivings Hull Civic Society has backed the plans, which include felling 10 trees, including a towering black poplar.
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Hide AdThe proposals, which still need approval from councillors and the Diocese of York, involve building a glass-walled cafe and extension, with seating outside and fountains, and a shop, which should bring in much needed revenue. Removing the wall aims to make the church and Trinity Square a seamless space.