Rutland church saved after thousands raised in repair project
Thousands have been raised by locals including a lady who walked 100 laps of her the village for her 86th birthday
A 13th century church in Rutland has been saved after thousands of pounds was raised by locals, including sponsorships of a woman who walked 100 laps of her the village for her 86th birthday.
Church of St John the Evangelist, Ryhall, Rutland, a grade 1 listed building, was put on the Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2019.
A leak was found in the roof of the church, as well as bats and bees nests.
Support officer from Peterborough Diocese, Jon Breackon, suggested that until the church was repaired, that it should be added to the register.
The church was added to the list and fundraising began.
Work on the roof was completed in late 2022, with generous grants from various bodies and "essential" local fundraising.
Betty Edwards, raised ÂŁ5000 by walking 100 laps of her village for her 86th birthday to help complete the repairs
As a result, repairs were able to take place on the church.
The lead roofs was replaced with terne-coated stainless steel and the churchyard was “lovingly restored to encourage wildlife and for the community to enjoy”.
“It is heartening to see that so many sites have had their futures secured thanks to the hard work of Historic England and local people” says Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
“Saving heritage at risk so that it can be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future, is core to our purpose” Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
As off the 9th of November, the church has been taken off the list.