£100,000 for St Leonard’s Church, Bridgnorth

St Leonard’s Church in Bridgnorth has been awarded £100,000 of funding under Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme (MTRP).

The funding, which was applied for by the Churches Conservation Trust, will be match-funded and will be used to undertake improvements including the provision of internal toilets, a kitchen and a new heating system that will combine to greatly assist the building’s role as a key events and community venue.

Work is due to start in the autumn of 2011.

Under the MTRP £2.5m has been made available to help provide an immediate boost to the county’s six largest market towns – and £450,000 has been granted to Bridgnorth.

Since the programme was launched last September, Shropshire Councillors in each of the towns have been working with their town councils and local communities to identify and prioritise projects that could apply for funding.

John Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member and Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, said:

“This funding was made available to demonstrate the council’s commitment to supporting and boosting Bridgnorth, and the county’s other market towns. I’m delighted that this funding has now been awarded to St Leonard’s. The skyline of Bridgnorth is dominated by the church which is a welcome site to visitors and residents.”

Suzanne Harris Trust & Foundations Fundraising Officer for the Churches Conservation Trust said:

“We are delighted to have received a grant towards the work at St Leonard’s. With the new facilities in place we hope to provide additional events, expand our capacity to support educational visits and offer more craft and heritage workshops which will all help to provide a sustainable future for St Leonard’s.”

Councillor Les Winwood, Shropshire Councillor for Bridgnorth West and Tasley, said:

“St Leonard’s Church is a landmark within our community and to assist with improvements for its community use is an excellent way forward. I am pleased and congratulate all those who have worked so hard to keep it for community use for our residents and all our visitors.”

For more information about the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme, go to shropshire.gov.uk/markettowns.