Lottery boost for historic church

FUNDRAISERS at the historic St Oswald’s Church at Winwick, Warrington have taken another step towards the restoration of the iconic building.
They have received a “first round pass” from the Heritage Lottery Fund for work on the South Aisle roof, which is badly infested with death watch beetle.
A first round pass means the project meets Heritage Lottery Fund criteria and that the lottery fund believes it has potential to deliver high quality benefits and value for money.
The application was in competition with other projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of the outline proposals.
The project now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award.
The project aims to complete the £800,000 restoration work already done to make the final part of the roof safe
This latest funding will also allow construction of a stage and the creation of a museum for community use.
Development funding of £46,600 has been awarded to help the church to progress its plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.
John Watkin, chairman of the church’s building committee said: “Whilst the project aims to carry out essential conservation work on this medieval church, an important part of it is to facilitate community involvement.
“The benefits will be that the church will become a venue for local organisations who require a stage and seating for about 150 people. It is envisaged that the museum will become a centre for educational talks and workshops for the general public.
“We as members of the Parochial Church Council are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support and we intend to provide the village with a place for live entertainment, public meetings and an educational centre based upon our museum.”
The present Grade 1 Listed church is more than 700 years old and an earlier building was recorded in the Domesday Book.
Cllr Mike Matthews, a member of Winwick Parish Council, said he was delighted with the award.
“The fact that we as a wider community now have the prospect of a fully equipped performance space and museum is a major enhancement to the community.”