THREE churches in Stoke-on-Trent are now the proud owners of brand new noticeboards after one of them won the dubious distinction of having the ‘worst’ noticeboard in the whole of the Lichfield Diocese.

Shortly after his appointment as Director of Parish Mission in 2007, George Fisher, appalled by the state of some of the noticeboards around the diocese, launched a competition to reward the best in each archdeaconry and to provide cash to replace the worst overall.

Four winning churches were awarded £250 to be spent on enhancing the welcome of their church, while St John the Evangelist, Trent Vale won the prize of £2,000 to cover the cost of a high quality replacement for their dilapidated noticeboard.

However, the two other noticeboards in the Trent Valley Team, at St Thomas, Penkhull and Holy Trinity, Hartshill, were also in a poor state of repair, and so the decision was made to replace all three.

‘The church noticeboard is probably the communication tool seen by more people than anything else,’ said George Fisher. ‘If it’s neglected, out of date and tatty then that’s what people will think of the church it represents.

‘A good noticeboard, with clear service details, can bring new people to church – what an investment.’

And to help churches with that investment, the Growth Fund gives grants of up to 50 per cent towards replacement costs. For more information email George on: george.fisher@lichfield.anglican.org