18/11/2024
Generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund matched by donations and other grants enabled St Peter and All Hallows Church, West Huntspill in Somerset to install toilets, a kitchen and a flexible space for community groups to meet in the west end of the church. The 13th century church, in an area of high deprivation, had very basic facilities previously.
Local people now attend a community café every Monday morning, with refreshments on a donations basis, IT support and a craft group. There is also information provided on organisations that give support on issues such as benefits and difficulties paying bills. The kitchen facilities and internet access are available throughout the week for people to use.
More than a £1 million was raised for the work, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. The funds have also paid for crucial cleaning and renovation of the stone work of the church tower, made of blue Somerset Lias limestone.
Rev Chris Judson, Team Rector for The Huntspills and Mark, praised the ‘fabulous’ work of volunteers in the church who had made the work possible – including filling in forms for more than 50 grant applications to match the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. Without the National Lottery Heritage Fund money they could not 'even have begun' the project, she said.
'It has made all the difference," she said.
“The project team felt very strongly that this was not just about preserving a historic building but making sure at the same time that it serves the community. I love too that people have taken ownership of the centre. People are helping each other and have come together to serve one another."