Church record

The Church Recorders Group from Diss Decorative and Fine Arts Society presents their completed record to Rev Chris Norburn at St. Mary's Rickinghall Inferior on 7th February 2016.

The various regional Societies which comprise the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) frequently have Groups that undertake volunteer work. The Diss Society is one such, and has a Group of Church Recorders. These volunteers choose local churches, in consultation with PCC's, Incumbents and Archdeacons (within the Church of England) to make a record of just about everything that is within the church.

Having chosen St Mary's, Rickinghall Inferior as their ninth church (to date), they commenced work in 2013 to record, photograph and, if necessary, research the history of the contents of the church. Everything is recorded within relevant sections, namely Memorials, Metalwork, Stonework, Woodwork, Paintings, Library, Windows and a catch all section labelled Miscellaneous.

The result of their labours, which usually takes 18 months to two years to complete, is a unique Church Record. Five copies are prepared, one each for Historic England (formerly English Heritage), the V & A Museum, the Church Care Library, the County or Diocesan Archive and the church itself.