Churches share £480k
ELEVEN BENEFIT FROM LIFELINE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT CASH
ELEVEN churches in the Diocese of Leicester are to receive lifeline grants from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.
In total, the churches announced in the latest round of grants will share £480,000.
St Margaret’s, in Leicester, has received two grants of £307,520 in total.
Repairs to the south porch and tower, built in 1444, will allow the church to reopen to visitors with a Covid-safe one-way system, potentially from April.
Church council secretary Carol Franklin said: “The restoration of the tower of our grade I-listed building will ensure it can maintain its part in the heritage and cultural life of the city.
The other churches to benefit are:
■ All Saints, Theddingworth;
■ All Saints, Knipton;
■ Christ Church, Smeeton Westerby;
■ St Michael and All Angles, Ravenstone;
■ St Egelwin, Scalford;
■ St Mary the Virgin, Thorpe Arnold;
■ St Margaret, Blackfordby;
■ St Michael and All Angels, Appleby Magna;
■ St Thomas, Catthorpe.
■ St Peter, Horninghold. Simon Headley, historic churches support officer for the Diocese of Leicester, said: “Church buildings play a vital and significant role in and beyond their immediate community.
“However, the repair costs of these historic buildings fall primarily upon congregations, so the grants are an important lifeline which will enable vital repairs to be carried out.”
Bishop of Leicester, The Rt Rev Martyn Snow, said: “This news is a great boost to our church communities and their work to ensure our church buildings remain open for the whole community and provide a visible sign of God’s presence among us.”