Framing England's History: Colchester grant success!
© Richard Hemmington
Churches Conservation Trust works with specialist craftspeople to conserve and repair, and to minimise the environmental impact on the historic windows in our care.
The Friends of St Leonard’s at the Hythe in Colchester are celebrating after securing a grant of £7,500 from Enovert Community Trust to provide mesh protection to four stunning Victorian stained-glass windows made by the famous London manufacturer Heaton, Butler and Bayne and considered vulnerable to damage.
The protection of the stained-glass windows is seen as the first step towards encouraging greater awareness and use of the church which has also included clearing the churchyard of undergrowth and rubbish.
© CCT
Grade II* listed church St Leonard’s is a medieval architectural gem with a wonderful hammerbeam roof and has been in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust since 1985. The Friends support the operation of the church, working hard to open the church to visitors and the community for activities and events including concerts, poetry readings, book launches and music events.
St Leonard’s is located within an area of significant deprivation and the Friends are keen to grow the events programme and use of the church so that it plays an important part in community life. A recent success, further bringing the church back to life, has been the recommissioning and regular ringing of the six bells, two dating from the 15th century (two dating from 15C).
Enovert Community Trust distributes over £2.5 million annually to community projects and Angela Hammonds Trust Manager of Enovert Community Trust is delighted to support the project and says:
"The stained-glass windows at St Leonard-at-the-Hythe are truly wonderful, so the Trust was very pleased to provide the grant to ensure they are adequately protected. We hope that with greater awareness more people will be able to use the church and enjoy the historically important windows."
The CCT are truly grateful to the support of the Enovert Community Trust and the Friends of St Leonard's in making this project happen.
Your donation makes a difference.
There are many more windows in need of conservation, repair and protection from the environment, which we can only do with your support.
Date written: 1st August 2025