Dewsbury church handed share of £1.57 billion fund to help with restoration project

Lifeline grants from the Culture Recovery Fund are designed to protect heritage sites and ensure that jobs and access to culture and heritage in local communities are protected during the months ahead.

The church received £12,500 which, with other grants has enabled work to start on the restoration of the only two Medieval Windows not restored in the major programmes of work carried out in the last few years.

Without urgent attention it was thought the windows were in imminent danger of irreparable deterioration.

Brian Pearson the Chair of the Fabric Committee, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding from the Culture Recovery Fund. It will make a significant difference to the work we need to carry out so that thechurch can continue to play a role in the community and history of the area.

"The funding is of particular importance as our income this year has been badly affected. The church is a fine Grade 1 Listed Building in the heart of the Thornhill Conservation Area.”

Grants of up to £25,000 are being allocated to heritage sites, like St. Michael’s, across the country to cover urgently needed maintenance and repairs. This vital 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.

As well as rescuing precious heritage buildings in need, the injection of cash will protect livelihoods for some of the most vulnerable heritage specialists and contractors working in the sector.

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.

“It is also providing employment for skilled craft workers who help keep historic places alive and the wheels of the heritage sector turning. Our shared heritage is an anchor for us all in these challenging times and this funding will help to ensure it remains part of our collective future.”