The petitioners sought a faculty authorising the removal of a reredos from Grimsby Minster to All Saints, Branston. A faculty had been granted in 1970 authorising the introduction of the reredos, designed by George Pace, on the east wall of the chancel of Grimsby Minster. It had been taken down in about 1995 and was being stored in the church office. In 1995, proposals for substantial re-ordering of the minster, which included among other things the relocation of the reredos from the east end to the Lady chapel and the introduction of underfloor heating and new flooring, were submitted to the Diocesan Advisory Committee, which recommended the proposals for approval. A petition was submitted and the then chancellor raised various questions about aspects of the proposals for re-ordering. Pending the production of evidence that English Heritage were content with other proposals, the chancellor granted an interim faculty to allow the introduction of underfloor heating and new flooring only.

No faculty was ever issued to permit the other aspects of re-ordering of the minster. It accordingly appeared that the reredos had been removed, and other substantial changes made, without a faculty. As those who currently worshipped in the Minster would not welcome re-instatement of the position as it was in 1995, the chancellor considered that it would be wrong to require that the reredos be replaced at the east end, or installed elsewhere in the Minster. Those who worshipped at All Saints, Branston – which contained other work by George Pace – were eager to have the reredos. A faculty was granted for its removal there. It would be a requirement that the original donor and his wife (in whose memory the reredos had been given) were commemorated at Branston.

Questions arose as to other items that were removed in around 1995– including regimental banners, sanctuary furniture designed by Pace, another reredos, a lectern, a pulpit, an oak chest, a hatchment and books of remembrance – all seemingly without authority. The chancellor requested the archdeacon to prepare a list of the furnishings that were removed in 1995, the donors of the items and details of where the items now were. If any were still in existence, the chancellor would consider what should be done with them in the light of submissions from those who had raised objections to the present petition and from the archdeacon. [Alexander McGregor]