THE parishioners of St Mary the Virgin Church in Ullenhall near Redditch, a Victorian Grade II listed building, are in a celebratory mood after learning that they have been awarded a grant of some £142,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, towards the cost of urgent roof repairs to the 140 year-old church.
The total project will cost £220,000 and includes repairs to the church clock which hasn’t worked for over 20 years and the building of a much needed kitchen and toilet block.
The Revd John Ganjavi, Rector of St Mary’s, said: “We are delighted and grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund for supporting our project and work has already started on the roof.
“Like most old buildings the fabric of our lovely church needs constant attention but the roof area has been a major concern.
“We are a small community and although we have been working hard to raise funds we would not have been able to start the project for some time without the help and support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, and any significant delays would have put the future of our lovely church into question.”
