At its October meeting the Trust committed just over £102,000 to 11 Oxfordshire churches to support the modification, maintenance, repair and protection of these historic churches. Alongside its traditional and continuing function as a place for dedicated worship, increasingly the church building is becoming a centre for community and extra-mural activities. The Trust is delighted to support this trend which contributes to the continued existence of these remarkable buildings.

Three churches were awarded grants of £20,000: the creation of new community space at St James, Bix; major structural repairs at All Saints, Spelsbury and St Mary, Swerford. Saints Peter & Paul Broadwell have been awarded £10,000 for community facilities and stonework repairs. At St Mary, Long Wittenham the 18th century bells are set to be restored to their former glory – both form and function! The grant of £4,000 from the Trust is supplementing a sum of £21,000 raised through a vigorous fundraising campaign led by the bell-ringers.

In addition, a sum of just over £12,500 has been awarded to fund the installation of roof alarms.

Further details can be found by going to Grants Awarded.