12 Dorset churches have been given grants for essential repairs and improvements by Dorset Historic Churches Trust (DHCT). A total of £55,250 was awarded for roof, masonry and bell tower repairs, heating replacements and accessible loos. Each year in September, the main fundraiser for Dorset Historic Churches Trust is their Ride + Stride event across churches in Dorset. To get involved or find out more.
Churches that will benefit from the latest grants announcement are listed here.
St Edward (Corfe Castle), St Juthware and St Mary (Halstock), St Giles (Hooke), St Thomas a Beckett (Lydlynch), St Michael the Archangel (Lyme Regis), St Cuthbert (Oborne), St Mary the Virgin (Sherborne), Holy Rood (Shillingstone), St Mary (Turnworth), St John (West Bay), Holy Trinity with St Nicholas (Weymouth), St Mary and Cuthburga and All Saints (Witchampton).
John Tory, Churchwarden of St Mary’s, Turnworth (pictured), said, “We are sincerely grateful for this grant aid towards our roofing and electrical work. We are a small, close-knit community which has worked hard over the recent years to build a fund for the necessary remedial work. Our fundraising efforts are supported by both churchgoers and non-churchgoers in the village. This additional grant aid means that the much-needed work may now go ahead.”
Four churches have been awarded grants from the National Churches Trust to support repairs and upgrades to enable them to continue ministry, as part of an over £800,000 grant.
St John’s Church in Fishpond will use the grant for running water and a kitchen. The Revd Ginny Luckett, Vicar at St John’s, said: "St John's Fishpond are absolutely thrilled with the generous grant from the National Churches Trust. Installing a kitchen in the church, the only community building in the village, will transform shared village life."
Ginny and others from the Golden Cap benefice are hosting St Wite's Festival: Pilgrimage and Celebration Service on 31 May, click for a ticket/more information.