Churches in line for grants

Seven of the 66 churches and cathedrals awarded grants from Heritage Fund UK and Historic England are in the Diocese of Bath and Wells.

In Bath and Wells diocese, Bath Abbey, Wells Cathedral, St Michael’s Without in Bath, St Mary’s, Bridgwater; St John’s, Glastonbury; St John the Baptist, Frome, and Castle Cary and Ansford benefited from the grants.

A total of 16 cathedrals and 50 parish churches will receive grants under the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage, a scheme designed to support heritage organisations in England that were financially viable prior to Covid-19 but which are now at risk of failure.

Emma Brown, church buildings adviser for Bath and Wells, said: “Delighted to receive the fantastic news that six parish churches and Wells Cathedral in Somerset have been awarded grants under the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. The Covid-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on our parish churches, with income and fundraising decimated and the buildings closed, resulting in a loss of visitors and planned activities and events, there will undoubtedly be long lasting repercussions. The grants will make a real difference, to keep those churches open.”