Suffolk Churches getting help with a total of £41,800 awarded this July

The Grants Committee of the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust met at Haughley Barns, on 13^th July and awarded Grants to thirteen needy churches in the County.

Despite the recent pessimistic report by English Heritage, Suffolk churches continue to receive financial help and are steadily moving from major repairs, like roofs, to hidden structural improvements that will guarantee the life of the building for many years. Examples of this are:

• All Saints, Newmarket where the window stonework is deteriorating and will affect the glazing if not corrected.
• Rendering and plastering at St Peter’s, Lindsey and St Andrew’s, Timworth respectively will improve the damp and internal appearance of both churches.
• The church of St James at St James South Elmham has need of timber treatment and roofing work to the aisle.

Mrs. Ritchie, Churchwarden at St James says “The support of the Trust encourages us enormously to carry on with the final fundraising effort”.

She expressed concern that if the project is not completed by March 2011, the VAT reimbursement Grant will no longer be available and the final bill will rise by, not the current 17.5%, but 20%. March 2011 sees the end of the Listed Places of Worship Scheme from which grants are given to cover the costs to Churches of VAT. The reduction in Government spending is concentrating everyone’s thoughts, but the loss of this Grant will very damaging to Suffolk’s heritage. Those caring for the latter are encouraged to write to their MP in support of the continuation of the Scheme from March 2011.

Grants ranging from £800 to £7,000 have been awarded to:

Onehouse, Butley, Timworth, Lindsey, Gt Livermere, St James South Elmham, Walton, Tattingstone, Newmarket, Worlington, Westleton, Cratfield and Henley