All Saints glad of grants, but more needed

Buy photos » Tessa Carrick is leading the campaign for All Saints Church. Picture by Nick Hands 4409036NHR

BROMSGROVE’S All Saints Church is set to receive £18,000 in funding towards the work needed to repair the tower, roof and stonework.

Three grants of £5,000 have been awarded to the scheme from the RD Turner Trust, the Worcestershire and Dudley Historic Churches Trust and the National Churches Trust. And a further £3,000 has been promised by the Bromsgrove Society.

But, despite these generous grants and some smaller donations from local residents, more cash is needed.

It is estimated the work to the tower, roof and stonework will cost close to £160,000 and the fund currently stands at £69,000.

But, with an extra £40,000, the church would be able to ‘unlock’ the £41,000 set aside by the English Heritage and Heritage Lottery Church Repairs Fund.

Tessa Carrick, the All Saints appeal co-ordinator, said: “The response has been very encouraging so far.

“We just have to step up another gear to raise the extra we need.

“If anyone else would like to make a donation I will be very pleased to receive it – the many small donations have been particularly useful.”

The church dates back to 1872 and, with its ornate windows and Bromsgrove guild work, is an important landmark on entry to the town.

Every year it plays host to a variety of events, including an art exhibition during the Bromsgrove Festival and monthly concerts.

The first of those for 2012 is an organ recital by Richard Cook, the church’s young organist. That takes place on February 18 at 6pm.

Admission is free, but any donations to the fund would be welcome.

For more on the church, organ recital and the fund-raising campaig,n or to make a donation, call Tessa on 01527 873135.