HLF BID SUCCESSFUL:


After four years hard work by the working group, we have been successful in getting a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project cost is around £400,000, and HLF have granted 90% of that amount. This is the result of the reports that had to be done previously. These were a full structural survey, a conservation plan, an access plan, and an interpretation plan.

The money is to do essential repairs to the walls and some beams, replace gutters, and re-plaster the walls. The funds will also be used to put in a more modern kitchen, new toilets, including one for the disabled, and a hearing loop for the hearing impaired. To allow some heating to be installed and make the electrical supply more reliable, there is funding to install 3-phase electricity.

There will be a new car-park in a field close by. To make walking through the churchyard safer, there will be a new hand-rail down the path from the top gate. To help give better access to the less able, especially those in wheelchairs and buggies, the coffin rest will be moved to one side by 200mm (8”). Work will also be done to repair the lych gate.

New opportunities for understanding this historic building will be achieved through some interpretation boards outside. Use by schools is important, so there will be special interpretation panels and facilities to ‘dress up' and take part in making bread, making cob for walls, and experience Victorian teaching!

It is hoped that the work will start in February 2007 and has to be finished by November 2007. During this time the gildhouse will be closed to the public. The church will of course still be open. It is hoped that we will be able to hold a couple of Open Days during the work period, to allow people to see the work in progress.

Structural Survey , September 2004 – Jonathan Rhind Architects
Access Survey, October 2004 – The Sensory Trust
Conservation Plan, February 2005 – Keystone Historic Buildings Consultants
Interpretation Proposals, January 2006 – Imagemakers

Please click on this link to view the HLF page regarding the news of our grant.

You can download the press release report as a word document by clicking here.