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Witchford church asks locals to help pay gas bill

John Devine/BBC Inside the 14th Century St Andrew's church, WitchfordJohn Devine/BBC
St Andrew's Church in Witchford is appealing for help to pay its gas bill

A church is passing around a virtual collection plate via social media in a bid to pay a larger than expected gas bill.

The warden of St Andrew's Church in Witchford, Cambridgeshire, said the energy bill had almost doubled since last year.

The regular congregation for a Sunday is not even 20 people, which only generates £40 a week.

British Gas said it would look to add a goodwill credit for help with bills.

When the church warden saw the latest gas bill that covered December and January, she thought, "Wow, panic."

"You might be surprised about all the outgoings a church has to pay," said warden Rosemary Westwell, 76.

John Devine/BBC Rosemary Westwell, the church wardenJohn Devine/BBC
Rosemary Westwell said people did not realise the costs to run a church

"We pay £700 a month for our parish share, various safety checks cost over £1,000 a year. People do not realise the costs.

"Our weekly congregation is about 17 strong, the collection plate normally brings in £40, which is not going anywhere near our December gas bill of £457."

John Devine/BBC St Andrew's church, Witchford collection plate only brings in £40 a weekJohn Devine/BBC
The collection plate at St Andrew's Church only brings in £40 a week

A British Gas spokesperson said: "St Andrew's Church recently renewed their fixed energy supply contract with us and the church's energy bills are based on actual smart meter readings.

"We understand that the church hall meter isn't in regular use and we've spoken with the church warden to offer to remove the meter, and we'll discuss applying a goodwill credit to help with recent bills."

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