Kemsing Church Hall was burnt to the ground in a fire early on the morning of Sunday 13^th April.

People across the community have been saddened and shocked by the sudden loss of our much-used church hall. We are very grateful for the prompt response of the emergency services, and for the highly professional work undertaken by firefighters and others.

Many church and community groups used our hall throughout the week. We will be working to find alternative provision for all these activities. We will update our church website (kmwd.org/home), with these arrangements, and will also use Twitter (@kemsingChurch) for announcements.

Many in the village and further afield have expressed their concern and offered their support; we are very grateful to everyone at this sad time.

ENDS

Notes for editors: Kemsing Church Hall was owned by the PCC (Parochial Church Council) of St Mary's Church, Kemsing, in Kent. The church is part of the diocese of Rochester in the Church of England. The hall was built in 1961. For further information, please contact the vicar, Revd James Oakley, on 01732 762556 or by e-mail.