St Michael and All Angels, Stoke Prior Bromsgrove wins National Lottery support
T
he National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced its support for the repairs and improved accessibility at an historic Grade I listed 12th Century Church in Stoke Prior Bromsgrove.
The Friends of the Church have been working tirelessly for four years to raise the necessary partnering funds for the project. They were delighted to have been advised in June 2020 that the fund had agreed to the project. The biggest restoration work since that done by the Victorians can now get underway. The project aims to repair damage that the Church has suffered over its life including tower masonry that became detached in the Autumn of 2014. The project will also improve the access to the church bringing it fully compliant with the Equalities Act. The Revd. Canon Wyn Beynon, since his appointment as Priest in Charge, has repeatedly stated that all should be able to access the church without the need for any help. The project will see essential repair work being done. During the project history talks will be given by the Revd. Canon Wyn Beynon and Friends of the Church. The varied and interesting history of St Michael and All Angels will be published in two new guidesbooks, the second of which will be for
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younger visitors. An educational programme is also planned that give volunteers new skills in how to look after an historic building. In partnership with the Parish Council a noticeboard and interpretation panel will be installed in the conservation area of the Churchyard. This will show the abundance of wildlife there is and the variety of trees that can be admired. The Church has become a focal point for the local community. This has been made possible by the Friends of the Church who have arranged a variety of fundraising events over the past four years. They plan to continue these with more exciting events already planned for the remainder of 2020 and 2021! This is to ensure the community benefit and are rewarded from what is an historic beautiful Church. Commenting on the award, the Revd. Canon , Wyn Beynon said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund. With this support and the help of the community, we will be able to carry out the essential repairs to the church. It is particularly pleasing that we will be able to change the entrance into the church so that all can
