Church gets cash to restore organ

Thornhill Parish Church has been awarded £61,900 to bring its 104-year-old JJ Binns organ back into use and start a programme for the community to learn and join in with live music.

Project manager Brian Pearson said: “We are excited that the Heritage Lottery Fund is making a continued commitment to this fine building and the local community by supporting this project.”

Mr Pearson said the project was the final phase of the wider restoration of the church, which has been ongoing for several years.

He said visitors would be able to watch and listen as the repairs were in progress and a concert series will be performed and recorded when the organ is restored.

Work will begin this year and run for three months, but the building will remain open during the restoration.

The Grade I listed church is part of the Thornhill Conservation Area, which has been renovated and made more accessible in recent years.

The church hosts around 20 weddings each year, 50 baptisms and many funerals.

Heritage Lottery money is awarded to museums, parks and buildings of cultural significance for restoration and maintenance.

More than 3,100 projects in Yorkshire and the Humber have received a total of £445m from the organisation to date.