A PUBLIC meeting will be held next week regarding the proposed sale of St Mary’s Church Rectory in Oldswinford.

Representatives from the Diocese of Worcester and St Mary’s PCC will attend the meeting, which will take place at St Mary’s Church in Rectory Road on Monday December 2 from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Nikki Groarke, the Archdeacon of Dudley, has previously said the Grade II listed rectory building, which dates back to 1701, is “unsustainable as a rectory going forwards for a variety of reasons” and the Diocese promised a formal consultation before any sale proceeds.

Everyone with an interest in what happens to the rectory, located next to the church in Rectory Road, is invited to attend the meeting.

Diocesan Secretary, Andy Todd, said: “Although we have not yet started the formal consultation ahead of the proposed sale of Old Swinford Rectory, we wanted to give the congregation and members of the public an opportunity to understand more about the situation and express their views.

"Both I and the Archdeacon of Worcester will be present at the meeting, and are looking forward to engaging with participants.”

Anyone unable to attend the meeting but wanting to share their views can email st.mary.os@btconnect.com or letters can be sent to the parish office, Rectory Road, Oldswinford, Stourbridge, DY8 2HA. Messages should be addressed St Mary’s Rectory.