The money raised by the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust from fundraising and legacies is awarded to churches at four meetings a year and at the January Grants Meeting over £33,000 was agreed to be shared between eight Suffolk churches, six in West Suffolk and two in East Suffolk.
The churches awarded grants in January were to All Saints, Gazeley, St John the Baptist, Stoke by Clare, SS Peter & Paul, Lavenham, St Mary, Brome, St Mary, Walpole, St Mary, Kersey, St Mary, Great Bradley and St George, Stowlangtoft.
“At its January meeting the Grants Committee made awards totalling £33,250,:” explained John Devaux, SHCT Grants Committee Chairman. “These churches have to find over £300,000 in order to undertake various projects. To date approximately half this sum has been raised. Building costs have risen rapidly and some work is urgent. An example is the re-tiling of the chancel roof of All Saints, Gazeley. At present water is seeping in and damaging a precious ceiling embellished with over one hundred medieval carvings. The collection has been described as “unique and of national importance”.
At All Saints, Gazeley, even after the SHCT grant is taken into account, the church has to find a further £58,450 and an appeal has been launched. The other churches also have to raise more money to complete the work that is needed. There are three more Grants Meetings scheduled through the year and any church, chapel or meeting house, of any denomination can apply. Details are HERE
