About Us

Keeping a medieval building in a safe and usable condition is a major challenge for the Church community. Formal investigations in 2016 identified major failures in the roof coverings and drainage systems, causing regular leaks into the interior of the church and decay to structural timbers. Urgent repair works were recommended to preserve this historic building and ensure it remains a community asset over many years to come.

With an overall estimated cost of £416,977 to undertake this essential work, the Church was thrilled in Spring 2018, to receive support of the Heritage Lottery Fund with a grant of £223,700, alongside generous grants from the Trophimus Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Alan Evans Memorial Trust, All Churches Trust Limited, Churchcare Wolfson Foundation and the Jill Franklin Trust.

This funding enabled the work to start in March 2018 and was completed in November 2018.

The Heritage Lottery grant also enabled a Community Heritage Project to be implemented. The church community believes there are many residents and visitors to the area, who pass St Andrew’s and say “D’you know what, I’ve never been into that church!”. We’ve been keen to change that – and open up the fascinating history of the building, its contents and the story of its longstanding influence in the local community over the centuries, to as many as people as possible!

A package of measures has been introduced that includes regular opening times to provide access to the heritage exhibition, guided tours and church records, heritage literature, this website and fun, educational trails for young people and children, as well as concerts in the future.

Commenting on the award, the Rev David Vestergaard, Rector of the church, said:

“We’re delighted that we have received this support thanks to National Lottery players. The church has been at the centre of the community for centuries, creating lasting memories in many local family lives, and it is great to know that we are close to preserving it for another century”.

We hope you find this website interesting and informative, and we would really value your feedback – to help us develop it further. Above all, we hope you will have the opportunity to visit the church and share in its rich heritage.