Lottery cash helps church share stories
A CHURCH that boasts links with Handel, the Royal Albert Hall and Peter Pan is to receive National Lottery funding to share its stories and repair its structure.
St Mary the Virgin in Congerstone has been offered a £23,100 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant towards the planned restoration and eductional project.
More money is likely to be made available if initial work goes to plan.
The church, which had lead stripped from its roof by thieves back in 2015, claims links with the long-demolished Gopsall Hall where the composer George Frideric Handel is reputed to have been a regular visitor.
Its organ was built around 1860 by Henry Willis, who constructed the original grand organ in the Royal Albert Hall in London, and one of its memorials, a monument to Georgiana, Countess Howe, was created by Sir George Frampton, whose works include the famous statue of Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, also in the capital.
A contemporary stained glass window, funded in part through a Heritage Lottery Fund grant and installed in 2014, marks the musical connection.
The latest grant will help pay for urgently needed repairs to damaged stonework and rotting roof timbers in the Grade II* listed building as well as replacing the stolen lead.
In addition, a toilet will be installed, to make the building more user-friendly.
If a secondary application for funding is successful, work will begin in early 2018 and should be completed the following year.
Following the restoration, an educational programme will see a church trail developed, heritage talks given at village meetings and to community groups, and work carried out with pupils from schools in the area.
Congerstone Primary School children are to help to create a wildflower garden in the churchyard.
Churchwarden Geoff Frisby said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support.
“We were devastated when the lead was stolen from the church roof so it’s great to know that we are now a step closer to preserving St Mary’s for another century.”
Head of HLF East Midlands, Jonathan Platt said: “Historic places of worship like St Mary the Virgin have fascinating stories to tell, and are often at the heart of local communities.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, we can help to address the church’s urgent conservation needs and share its heritage more widely.
“We look forward to seeing how these plans develop over the coming months.”