If you’re in Norton Lees and you see the sign, don’t walk past. Go in. There’s a good chance someone will hand you a raffle ticket or ask if you fancy a game of bingo. The bingo caller is a retired nurse named Derek, and he has a voice that could calm a stampede.
You don’t have to buy anything. You don’t have to stay long. But if you do hang around, you’ll witness something rare: a place that doesn’t know it’s special. It’s just a church. With a leaky roof. And a food bank. And a men’s shed. And a dozen people who actually care.
And if the heating dragon grumbles at you? Just smile. Margaret will explain its life story. And you’ll probably get another cuppa. That’s St Paul’s. Come for the boiler, stay for the genuine warmth.
