St Peter’s is given a helping hand - The Evesham Observer

St Peter’s is given a helping hand

Evesham Editorial 21st Feb, 2021   0

A HISTORIC Rous Lench church is among five across the Diocese of Worcester to have been awarded money from the Culture Recovery Fund to help fund repairs during the coronavirus pandemic.

All those receiving funding are grade 1 or 2* listed and the money will help with urgent repairs.

St Peter’s Church in Rous Lench together with St Stephen’s Church in Redditch, St George’s Church in Kidderminster, St Peter’s Church in Astley and St Peter’s Church in Powick all received a lifeline from the Government.

The church received £25,000 for emergency roof repairs and Rector Richard Thornley revealed his delight at the cash injection.




“The repair work will stop water seeping through the vestry roofs and damaging significant architectural features within the church including the Rous family memorials, the 14th Century chancel roof, apse altar to the Lady’s Chapel, and oak panelling and a fine capitalled doorway in the sacristy,” he said.

“The grant comes at a crucial point because, if left much longer, damage to the much-loved church would have been beyond repair and it means that the church can continue to play an important part in the life of our community.”


The funding comes from a part of the Culture Recovery Fund called the Heritage Stimulus Fund and is administered on behalf of the government by Historic England.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “These grants will help the places that have shaped our skylines for hundreds of years and that continue to define culture in our towns and cities.

“We’re protecting heritage and culture in every corner of the country to save jobs and ensure it’s there for future generations to enjoy.”

Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive, said: “Historic places across the country are being supported by the Government’s grants awarded under the Culture Recovery Fund.

“This funding is a lifeline which is kick-starting essential repairs and maintenance at many of our most precious historic sites, so they can begin to recover from the damaging effects of COVID-19.”

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