History for the Future
The appeal fund will be used to support History for the Future, a programme that aims to safeguard the long term future of important historic features and artefacts contained within our collection of historic parish churches. These range from stunning medieval wall paintings, delicate textiles and world famous stained glass windows to wall monuments and mosaics.
Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of The Churches Conservation Trust, said:
“Our collection of over 340 churches ranges from rural medieval gems to large urban Victorian churches. Many of these wonderful buildings contain features and artefacts that are of exceptional historic, artistic and cultural importance and some are the oldest unique examples in the country. We need to protect them for future generations to enjoy. These contents tell the story of our country, our local communities and many families. They are a unique educational tool for all from school children to academics. ”
Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, said:
“Building financial resilience is vital to ensure the future of our precious buildings, landscapes and collections. With Catalyst, the Heritage Lottery Fund is offering heritage organisations the tools to develop longer-term financial independence and enabling the custodians of our heritage to get fit for the future.”
Over the next four years every £1 we raise will be matched £1 by a Heritage Lottery Fund Catalyst Endowment which will be worth up to £1million in total. The fund will support the training of volunteers and act as a catalyst for fundraising to meet specialist conservation costs. The project will begin by focusing on a small number of artefacts and then it develops and income is generated from the endowment, we will extend it to other sites across the estate.
These include St George's Church, Portland in Dorset with its vast churchyard containing fascinating memorials, St Peter's at Sandwich in Kent a 13th century cinque port church where a curfew bell is still rung each night, and All Saint's Church, Billesley in Warwickshire, which has an intriguing Shakespearian connection to the church.