Renovation work set to begin at Ingoldsby church

The project was awarded a HLF grant to help undertake preparatory works in early 2015 with surveys and specifications being completed throughout the year.

A second bid to HLF to pay its chosen contractor to do the work has now been successful and work will start soon.

A grant of £125,000 has been awarded by the HLF for the repairs and additions needed to the church. The church council must add about £5,500 to this, made possible due to a grant from the Headley Trust and a generous donation from a former church warden.

Funds will cover the replacement of the south aisle roof, works to the tower masonry and a damaged pinnacle, installation of lightning protection, installation of a toilet with remodelling of the vestry, and the replacement of the fallen chancel gable end cross.

A church spokesman said: “So, during spring and summer 2016 there will be a flurry of activity at the hurch as works start.

“Whilst the main body of the church will be closed for most of this time, with services only in the chancel, you should be able to see progress being made on the outside.”

The project includes a programme of community activities, including research into church and village history and into the life of the Victorian rector, the Rev James Hildyard, with the production of display boards in the church to describe its features and history, social and other events, photographs of events and of the work as it proceeds, publicity for the work and activities, and the continued development of the church website.

In addition, and separate to the main HLF works, the church is seeking to make further improvements by adding a servery for refreshments, and will continue to fund-raise to pay for it.

The spokesman added: “These improvements will enable the church to be better used once all the restoration is completed.”