The parish wished to remove the large font that had been placed at the eastern end of the north side of the nave in 1975, replacing the original font that had been used in the unlisted Victorian church since 1875. The 1975 font had retained the original bowl and cover but the size of the font impeded worship by reducing the space for gathering around the font at baptisms, for music groups or drama during worship and for weddings. Alternative locations for the font had been considered but rejected. A faculty was sought to incorporate the original bowl and cover in a new, moveable font which could be placed in an appropriate, visible location for baptismal services but that could be kept somewhere less obstructive for the remainder of the time. The 1975 font would be buried in the churchyard. The petition was supported by the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

The only objector was a long-standing member of the congregation whose children had been baptised there in the 1990s. The objection was that the removal of the font would impair the sanctity of the church and the focus on God. The chancellor noted that the burden was on the petitioners to make the case for change. He reviewed the authorities. Canon F 1 required that a font be provided in every church or chapel where baptism was to be administered, as near to the entrance as convenient save where there was custom to the contrary, and in as spacious and well-ordered surroundings as possible. Reviewing other authorities and House of Bishops’ guidance, the chancellor also noted that a font may be placed away from the church entrance if there is good reason and a moveable font may be authorised in a suitable case. However, even a moveable font must be physically and symbolically substantial enough to demonstrate the significance of baptism to those who enter the church.

Applying these principles the chancellor held that the removal of the 1975 font was justified because of the difficulties caused by the lack of space and the lack of a sensible place for its relocation. The introduction of the portable font was also acceptable as it was a substantial piece of oak furniture incorporating the bowl and cover from the church's original font. The faculty was granted on condition that, when not in use, the font should be positioned in a suitable location authorised by the archdeacon pastor. The location must be readily visible from the church entrance, spacious, well ordered and consistent with the importance of baptism. As regards the old font, the chancellor noted that burial was not the only means to dispose of a font and should be the last resort. Conditions were imposed that disposal by burial in the churchyard was only authorised if an alternative means of disposal had not been achieved after nine months. [Catherine Shelley]