NON-church going villagers in Kilve may be asked to help with activities to support the parish’s St Mary the Virgin Church.

Quantock Villages Benefice associate priest the Rev Prebendary Pam Cuff has been overseeing ideas to keep the church at the heart of the community.

But, Ms Cuff said the parochial church council (PCC) faced financial challenges and a ‘lack of people power’.

She said: “It is hoped there may be some non-Church members within the village who would be willing to support projects of particular interest to them.

“Each group would be supported by a member of the PCC.

“We are fortunate to have such great community support in areas such as flowers, cleaning, grass cutters, and in one-off events, but the groups mentioned would be for specific projects.”

Examples of projects could be provision of a toilet, providing a better church history for visitors, arranging musical events, displays, and exhibitions within the church, or organising children’s activities.

A questionnaire asking residents what they would like to see happen in the church was circulated by Ms Cuff and was also available at meetings in the village hall, while some people responded verbally.

Ms Cuff said: “Comments and suggestions have been much appreciated by the PCC, and we have now had an extraordinary meeting to discuss what has been said.”

Among the suggestions were to become involved in the annual Open Gardens, hold jazz and other musical events on summer evenings, and seek sponsorship from local businesses or grants for larger projects.