Village’s new two-storey soft play area angers parishioners… because it’s in their church
St Mary’s Church in Burton Bradstock, Dorset, has installed a £20,000, two-storey soft play area beside its pews, prompting concerns among some parishioners about whether children’s play fits the solemnity of worship. The vicar says the project makes the church more useful to local families and addresses the lack of an indoor play space.
The free, unsupervised equipment includes a slide, steps and foam blocks, with parents responsible for their children. Reverend Andrew Rawding developed the idea after seeing parents and toddlers shelter in the church porch near the primary school; the school’s interim head says pupils can also use the space. Some residents questioned whether there was enough consultation and raised concerns about the stained glass.
In short
- Dorset church installs a £20,000 soft play area.
- The free facility is intended for local families and schoolchildren.
- Some parishioners raised concerns about its suitability and consultation.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A church is also a community space, and a free indoor play area could give local families somewhere useful to gather, especially where alternatives are scarce. Welcoming children may help the church serve the whole village and build relationships across generations, while parents remain responsible for supervision.
The case against
A church’s distinct purpose and atmosphere matter to worshippers, who may reasonably feel that prominent play equipment beside the pews detracts from solemnity and the building’s heritage. Parishioners may also expect meaningful consultation before a substantial change, particularly where the equipment could affect historic features such as stained glass.
Explained simply
A parish church is the main church for a local area, where people gather for worship, ceremonies and community events. St Mary’s serves Burton Bradstock, a village in Dorset, and sits alongside other local services such as the primary school.
Churches are sometimes used for activities beyond worship, but changes to their space can raise questions about how best to balance religious use with community needs. The vicar, Reverend Andrew Rawding, and the school’s interim head see the play area as a resource for local families and pupils; some residents have raised concerns about its setting and how the plans were discussed.
The debate reflects a wider choice many churches face as they try to remain useful to their communities while preserving the character of their buildings. St Mary’s stained glass is among the features residents say should be considered.