In his other role as Chairman of Wye Parish Council, Ashford Councillor Noel Ovenden played a key role in securing Wye Methodist Church as an asset for the local community this February. With the building no longer used for worship, it came up for auction. Noel was determined to save it from the developers, so that it could continue to be used for community events, as has been the case for many years. After arranging the required finance, the Parish Council purchased the building at auction.
Noel commented:
“It was quite nerve-wracking getting everything done because it all happened in the space of the last three or four weeks, but we entered the auction and the rest is history. The focus will now turn to bringing it back into the community. Its appearance will not change and we have no real intentions currently of changing its internal purpose and what it means for the village. Parish council ownership gives security, and we can all now look forward to reviving this old building for community benefit, but first, it will need repair and some love.”
