Pulpit in a 836-year-old church falls victim to health and safety

For centuries the word of God had been preached unhindered from the pulpit in the Church of All Saints – then along came the health and safety jobsworths.

Now the church has been forced to draw up guidelines after being warned by council officials that the pulpit is ‘dangerous’ and that preachers might be injured while climbing its seven spiral stone steps.

The church in the Wyke Regis area of Weymouth, Dorset, dates from 1172 and has no record of injured clergy. But the health and safety officers suggested the addition of an unsightly handrail to the 16th Century pulpit.



The diocesan authorities, however, wouldn’t hear of it. As an alternative, churchwarden Gary Hepburn drew up his own safety guidelines.

These pledge that no one under the influence of drink or drugs will be allowed to use the pulpit. And the steps shall not be approached in dim lighting, by anyone with poor vision or wearing bifocals, or by anyone feeling unwell.

Those entering or leaving the pulpit are advised to make maximum use of the structure itself and the stone column supporting it to steady themselves. All of which appeased inspectors from the environmental health department of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.