£200,000 Ashford Hill church project in line for boost
Vicar's plea for donations to secure £40,000 match funding
A £200,000 project to restore the roof and spire of an Ashford Hill church could be in line for a huge boost, thanks to the promise of £40,000 in match funding from Greenham Common Trust.
The Ashford Hill Church Roof and Spire Appeal was launched last year to raise cash for St Paul’s Church, Ashford Hill Road.
Church vicar, the Rev Lucy Thirtle, revealed last year that the roof of the Grade II-listed church, which was built in 1845, was in very poor order and that, in addition, there were problems with the fabric of the St Paul’s church spire.
Rev Thirtle this week appealed for online donations to boost the amount raised so far to £40,000, in order to secure the extra, £40,000 in match funding from the trust’s Community Buildings Improvement Programme:
“Many people are daunted by the by the sheer enormity of the sum required, but we are hopeful that this (offer of match funding) will spur on further donations,” said Ms Thirtle.
The total amount raised by the community so far is around £20,000, thanks to two successful events this year, which raised £6,000 and several personal donations, with lots more events planned in coming months.
The cash will go towards replacement of the nave roof, masonry repairs for the spire and major timber repairs inside the church caused by years of water penetration.
It is hoped that the work will get under way during the summer, to prevent structural damage during the winter. The parochial church council is now in the process of securing a local contractor.
Ms Thirtle said the community was absolutely thrilled with the offered grant, as it would give the parish a real boost, even though they had been unsuccessful in an application to the government’s Roof Appeal earlier in the year.
“St Paul’s is important to people for many different reasons – as a place of worship and gathering for key life events such as baptisms, weddings, funerals, and also as a beautiful space for community events such concerts, dances, meals, a performance space, art and craft exhibitions, fetes and second- hand sales.
“Memorably it hosted a village celebration of the royal wedding a few years ago. Not least the church, with its elegant spire, is valued as a beacon and local landmark."
Greenham Common Trust chief executive Chris Boultonsaid that Ashford Hill was one of more than 100 local community buildings projects to which the Trust had committed more than £2m and it was proud to do so.
“Community buildings are the lifeblood of the local neighbourhoods and are such valuable assets to help them grow and develop into the future.”
The Ashford Hill Church Roof and Spire Appeal ‘s Find Me A Grant application to Greenham Common Trust was set to go live online over the next few days.
To make a donation, visit www.findmeagrant.org.
