Twelve West Sussex churches to get a share of £22.9m roof repair fund

The grants awarded in West Sussex are: St Peter’s Church, Upper Beeding (£90,200); St. Mary’s Church, Horsham (£59,300); St Richard’s Church, Duncton (£30,900); St Symphorian’s Church, Durrington (£87,000); St John the Divine, Patching (£22,200); St Nicholas’ Church, Arundel (£52,100); St Mary’s Church, Chithurst (£67,900); The Priory Church of St Mary and St Blaise, Boxgrove (£57,700); St Nicholas’ Church, West Itchenor (£86,600); St John the Baptist Church, Clayton (£29,300); St James’ Church, Ashurst (£40,500); and Old St Luke’s Church, Milland (£37,100).

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said: “Churches and cathedrals are a pillar of British life and we are committed to ensuring future generations will be able to admire and use these historic buildings.

“Thanks to the work we’ve done over the last six years to secure Britain’s long term economic security, we are able to support the upkeep and repair of places of worship across the UK.”

Heritage Minister Tracey Crouch said: “Churches and cathedrals are the jewel in the crown of our national heritage and it is vital they remain in good repair and are accessible for all.

“These buildings are at the heart of communities across the country and I am delighted so many will benefit from this important fund.”

Money is also being provided for structural investigations, specialist reports, and bat surveys.

Sir Tony Baldry, Chair of the Church Buildings council: “It is fantastic that a further 400 church buildings will receive significant help with roof repairs from government and we are hugely grateful to the Chancellor. We now need to ensure a sustainable way of funding church buildings in the future and this is a question for which I hope the Department for Culture Media and Sport Taskforce on Church Buildings will find viable and deliverable answers.”

Today’s grants have been awarded through the Government-funded Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund, launched by the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement in December 2014.

The Fund is administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) on behalf of the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).

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