Re: St. Mary, Tenbury Wells (Hereford Consistory Court; Henty Ch. June 1990)

A faculty was granted for the introduction into a parish church of modern, comfortable chairs, and for use of one side of the Lady Chapel as a Children's Area. The petition, as regards the Children's Area, was opposed; the opponents contended that there would be insufficient comfortable seating for services held in the Lady Chapel, and that the proposed location for the Children's Area was in the wrong place. The petitioners met the first objection by making available chairs in the Lady Chapel at times of divine service. On the evidence the Chancellor concluded that the Lady Chapel was the appropriate place for the Children's Area, principally because it was near the door (making children and young parents feel welcome as well as permitting entry and exit with the minimum of conspicuousness) and near the front of the congregation at Parish Communion, thus making the children feel involved in the worship to some degree.

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(1991) 2 Ecc LJ 130