Lottery Win

It's official!

The long-awaited grant needed to save the village church has finally been APPROVED by English Heritage.

It means a massive boost of almost £180,000 to the fundraising efforts of the Friends of All Saints.  The money will come from the Heritage Lottery Fund and means that more than half of the total cost of the restoration work is now guaranteed.

The news came in an official letter from English Heritage to Charles Dunn, who has been leading the negotiations with them on behalf of the Friends of All Saints and the PCC.  It ends months of anxious waiting following rejection of an earlier application.

As part of the bid for funds, the church has undertaken to develop a range of community-based activities designed to appeal to those who do not necessarily attend church services.

Several projects are already planned to honour this pledge.  So, while detailed investigations are carried out by surveyors on the fabric of the church, others will be carrying out detailed investigations of the church's history and architectural records to update and improve the Discovery and Heritage Trail leaflets already in the church.

In addition, a 360 degree video of the church's interior is proposed and material is being gathered to develop tours of the building and lecture material.  Events centred on the building are also being planned, including a major arts and crafts festival.  Volunteers able to help with any of these ventures will be warmly welcomed.

So far as the restoration of the building is concerned, it's expected that the project development phase will be completed over the next few months at an initial cost of some £25, 000.  The architect will then be able to draw up detailed specifications and the work can be put out to tender.  All being well, the vital repairs will then begin in earnest next year.

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