West End Room

The church is entered through the West End Room created in 2003, in the space left by the removal of two rows of pews.
In 2001, the Church Council decided that the Deanery Hall, which is located east of the church, was no longer viable as a meeting place. It had served the parish as a social centre for a century but was costing too much to maintain. The Diocese, the owners, sold it for redevelopment.
However, the church’s central position in the life of the village both for worship and for social purposes was recognized and it was decided to provide a facility which will enable the Church to continue to provide the care and service the community.
A screen was built to form the West End Room. It was designed to reflect the original panelling and balcony which separated the Choir vestry from the main body of the church, so keeping the appearance from the church similar.

The new room incorporates a children’s room, and toilet facilities including disabled access. It is screened from the body of the church with double glazing, the panels of which incorporate dedications to local families and church organisations. The central doors to the nave are decorated with an image of St. George on the south side and St. Chad on the north (St. Chad’s College, Durham is the patron of the church).
A new heating system, separate from the main system, was been installed to give added control and reduce running costs. The audio system, which includes a loop for those using hearing aids, was modified with added speakers in the new rooms so that the overall seating capacity of the church was not significantly reduced.
As part of this project, a reprographic room was built above on the north side.