Three Norfolk churches get much-needed repairs grants
Gissing Church is in need of renovations after part of the outside wall developed cracks which could lead to collapse. - Credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2016
Three Norfolk churches have received a funding boost as £20,000 in grants is awarded by the National Churches Trust.
The church of St Margaret in Topcroft. - Credit: Archant
The money will enable essential repair and improvement works to be carried out on the historic buildings.
St Mary's Church in Gissing, near Diss, has stood in the village for more than 900 years, but part of the building is in danger of collapsing.
The lay vice-chairman of Gissing's Parochial Church Council, George Hammond, said the £5,000 grant given by the trust is invaluable.
'There is no way that small congregations, or any size for that matter, can even consider finding that kind of money,' he added. 'It is marvellous news and we are very grateful for it and very pleased.'
St Mary the Virgin Church in Barningham Winter, near Holt.
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A £10,000 grant for the Church of St Margaret in Topcroft, near Bungay, will help with the building of an extension, to include a disabled toilet, kitchen and storage space, which is expected to be completed in the autumn.
St Mary the Virgin Church in Barningham Winter, near Holt, has also received £10,000.
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The grade II-listed church is an important element of the Barningham Hall parkland and is in urgent need of repair work to ensure the church remains watertight to prevent further deterioration of its partially ruined tower.
Broadcaster Huw Edwards, the vice-president of the National Churches Trust, said he was 'delighted' the three churches were being safeguarded.
He added: 'This funding will help ensure that these beautiful churches continue to serve local people for many years to come.
'At the heart of the nation's history and at the centre of local communities, churches and chapels are some of the UK's best loved local buildings. But their future is not guaranteed.'
