CHURCH leaders today paid tribute to the kindness and generosity of a Kirton woman, whose bequest means they can carry out major improvements to their place of worship.

CHURCH leaders today paid tribute to the kindness and generosity of a Kirton woman, whose bequest means they can carry out major improvements to their place of worship.

Frieda Pamela Porter - known to friends and villagers as Pam - left more than £250,000 to charities and good causes.

Included in her bequests was a gift of £30,000 for Kirton Methodist Church.

The chapel is in the middle of a major project to modernise the building in Falkenham Road and increase its community use.

Ralph Mowles, property steward for the church, said everyone would be thrilled with the bequest.

“Pam was a lovely lady and she would come to all the events we held at the church - the social gatherings, harvest lunches, coffee mornings and always thoroughly enjoyed them,” he said.

“To leave money to our church and other charities was Pam all over.

“She was a lovely, caring lady, and this is a really kind and generous bequest.”

The church had started refurbishing its building and created a new kitchen, and was raising money for toilets and other improvements.

“We want to open the church to the community but we still have quite a bit of work to do and people had been getting a little despondent because raising funds is not easy - Pam's bequest is a wonderful boost for this work,” added Mr Mowles.

Mrs Porter left estate valued at £2,235,188 net, with most of the money going to relatives.

In addition to the gift for the church, she also left £50,000 each to St Elizabeth Hospice at Ipswich, Trinity Hospice in London, and East Anglia's Children's Hospices, £45,000 to Cats Protection and £30,000 to The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth.

She also left £500 to Kirton and Falkenham Women's Institute.

Widow Mrs Porter lived at The Maltings, in Trimley Road, until her death earlier this year. There has been some controversy over the property after work was started to clear the garden, with some felling of trees and demolition of world war two military buildings, in readiness for a planning application for homes.

Do you want to pay tribute to Mrs Porter's generosity? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk