Village church gets money to continue repairs

A Grade II listed village church in need of repairs will get funding from a council after safety concerns were raised.

About £14,000 has already been spent on St Andrew's Church in Wimpole, Cambridgeshire, fixing water damage and improving deteriorating masonry.

Owned by the Diocese of Ely, the church applied for £2,000 from South Cambridgeshire District Council's community chest to continue the work.

The authority approved the funding to support "the continued use of a well-used community facility and heritage site, ensuring it remains accessible to residents, visitors and researchers for years to come".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, water getting into the church had caused staining, damaged the plaster and had led to falling debris.

The church said the council funding would contribute to the restoration of two monuments, which will cost £3,719, and to roof and masonry work, costing £11,234.

It said it would raise the rest of the money by fundraising activities, using existing reserves, through private donations and by applications to external funders.

It has submitted applications to the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust and The National Heritage Lottery Fund.

The church has also secured a £1,000 private donation.

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