Funding boost for St Andrew, Castle Combe

St Andrew, Castle Combe is set to benefit from a 596,000 rescue funding package from the National Churches Trust, the UKs church repair and support charity.

The church has been awarded a 10,000 National Churches Trust Community Grant to help fund a project to build an extension with a kitchen and a disabled toilet.

The addition of a small kitchen and disabled toilet will significantly increase its use by the community by promoting its potential as a setting for concerts, gallery exhibitions, seminars and drama classes.

A total of 36 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from the latest grants from the National Churches Trust, the UK church repair and support charity.

Top of the 2016 list of funding requests received by the charity include repairs to roofs, stonework and drainage and the provision of toilets and kitchens.

Broadcaster and Journalist Huw Edwards, Vice-President of the National Churches Trust said: "I'm delighted that this Christmas the future of St Andrew, Castle Combe is being safeguarded by a National Churches Trust grant to fund much needed modern facilities. This funding will help ensure that this historic church, which does so much to help the local community, continues to serve local people for many years to come.

"Churches and chapels are some of the UK's best loved buildings. But their future is not guaranteed.

"This Christmas, when people visit a church or chapel for a carol service or even just walk past a church on the way to do the Christmas shopping, I urge them to think about how they can help ensure that churches can remain open and in good repair.

"Everyone can make a contribution to the future of the UK's church and chapel buildings. That could be by helping to clear drains and gutters to help keep churches watertight or by keeping an eye out for vandals or thieves.

"Churches and chapels may be historic buildings, but they can be part of our future, too.

St Andrews is a Grade I listed church of 13th century origin with a north east chapel from the 14th century and a 15th century nave and tower. The church was extensively restored and rebuilt in the middle of the 19th century. There are fine examples of gargoyles. The elegant stained glass windows have been recently restored.

The addition of a small kitchen and disabled toilet will significantly increase its use by the community by promoting its potential as a setting for concerts, gallery exhibitions, seminars and drama classes. The work follows on from urgent roof repairs recently carried out and which received a 2,500 National Churches Trust Partnership Grant.

First published 14th December 2016
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