Today, St Mary's Church has received news of a grant of £79,700 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an urgent repair project to replace rotting floors and provide step-free access for the first time. The grant will also be used to install a large new flat area at the back of the church which can be laid out with chairs, tables and displays to better meet the variety of 21st century activities. I am glad to see that the fund will also be used to bring warmth to the church, in the form of an updated electrical heating system!
Work is planned to start from October and will continue for about six months. However, the plan is to keep parts of the church open throughout by working around essential events whenever feasible.
This heavenly church (excuse the pun) is a Grade II listed building dating from the early 14th century with a magnificent 15th century clerestory, featuring a tower that had been rebuilt in 1709. For the record, the oldest of the church's six bells was cast in 1623 and the newest in 2000.
The great news is that these historic features will now be more accessible once the work is completed.
