The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced its support for the repairs and improved accessibility at St Michael & All Angels Church, an historic Grade I listed 12th Century Church in Stoke Prior Bromsgrove.
The Friends of the Church have been working for four years to raise the necessary partnering funds for the project. Thanks to this funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the biggest restoration work since that done by the Victorians can now get underway.
The project aims to repair damage that the Church has suffered over its life including tower masonry that became detached in the Autumn of 2014. The project will also improve the access to the church bringing it fully compliant with the Equalities Act.
Commenting on the award, the Revd Canon Wyn Beynon said:
“We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. With this support and the help of the community, we will be able to carry out the essential repairs to the church. It is particularly pleasing that we will be able to change the entrance into the church so that all can access and leave unaided. Thank you to everyone that have helped us on our journey and for your continued support. We will with this help be able to look forward to seeing St Michael and All Angels removed from the Heritage at Risk Register thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.”
The project will see essential repair work being done. During the project history talks will be given by Wyn and the Friends of the Church. The varied and interesting history of St Michael and All Angels will be published in two new guide books, the second of which will be for younger visitors. An educational programme is also planned that give volunteers new skills on how to look after an historic building. In partnership with the Parish Council a noticeboard and interpretation panel will be installed in the conservation area of the Churchyard. This will show the abundance of wildlife there is and the variety of trees that can be admired.
Anne Jenkins, Director, England, Midlands & East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added:
“Thanks to National Lottery Players, we are delighted to award St Michael and All Angels with a grant that not only carries out urgent repairs, but will ensure it is preserved for the community to years to come, with work hopefully leading to the church no longer being listed as Heritage at Risk. By improving accessibility for the church as well as creating resources aimed at new audiences we hope that the St Michael and All Angels will see many new visitors walk through its doors. We have been very proud to invest in Worcestershire’s heritage over the years in order for it to be showcased far and wide.”
The Church has become a focal point for the local community. This has been made possible by the Friends of the Church who have arranged a variety of fundraising events over the past four years. They plan to continue these with more exciting events already planned for the remainder of 2020 and 2021 to ensure the community benefit and are rewarded from this historic and beautiful Church.
