Tom: Hey, Bob, whatchya doing there?

Bob: Me? What’s it look like? Loading these stones into me barrow.

Tom: But… why?

Bob: Why’d yer think? It’d take an age to carry ‘em all.

Tom: But… carry them to where? And anyway, are you meant to be taking them? That’s our church, you know.

Bob: Our church that no one’s using cos the vicar don’t want to make the journey.

Tom: Yea, but…

Bob: No buts. The bishop says it’s all gone to waste and we can help ourselves. Now, you gonna keep on gassing or are you gonna lend me a hand. I’ve a pigsty to build, you know.

Saxlingham Thorpe Church Historical Note (for those who care to know)

According to Blomefield’s History of Norfolk the last rector to hold Thorpe independently of Nethergate was in 1362. Thereafter the two churches were held in union. Attendances at Thorpe declined. The parishioners complained to the bishop claiming the rector held services at inconvenient times because he held the two cures. The Bishop rebuked the rector. It made no difference.

Over the ensuing years, Thorpe church fell out of use, and not being used, it wasn’t repaired. Nor was it only the church. The rectory, which might underlay Mud Hall, also fell into disrepair.

In 1684 an order was issued that no more repairs were to be done to Thorpe church, and permission was given to sell any ornamental work from Thorpe church, the proceeds to go to Nethergate. The ruinous church became a builder’s supply yard.

Yet, incredibly, the parish registers were kept separate until 1740.