Church wins initial backing from Heritage Lottery fund

ALL Saints’ Church, Thelwall, has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the “175 in 2018 – conservation, memorials and memories” project.
Made possible by National Lottery players, the project allows finalising the planning of community engagement and urgent conservation work as part of its 175th anniversary celebrations.
The development phase involves detailed preparations for various capital works and plans for a Thelwall Heritage Discovery Weekend on October 13-14 to showcase the project for the wider community.
Planned capital works include repair and renovation of the exterior of the building, conservation of the 1894 Shrigley and Hunt mural, the stained glass windows, and the marble altar steps.
An educational programme will train church guides and will investigate and record the graveyard and crypts. All information gathered will be widely communicated through the website, www.allsaints.org.uk
The vicar, the  Rev Douglas Black said: “We’re delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players. There is so much local history tied up with the church, and this will allow us to spread our enthusiasm for the building through the community, and to conserve it for future generations.
“Although a first round pass does not guarantee we will receive a grant due to competition for reducing funding, it does mean that HLF believe that our project has potential to deliver high-quality outcomes and value for Lottery money.”
On October 13, anniversary celebrations will focus on Thelwall’s social history with the help of neighbouring local history groups and the Archives and Local Studies Service. In the Parish Hall and in the Church will be displays, talks and taster sessions for families and people of all ages and interests – family history, social history and natural history.
The Heritage Discovery Weekend will include a special service on October 14 to mark the 175th anniversary of the first phase of the present church building.