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NorthTuddenham750Historic England steps in to rescue tower 


Historic England has awarded a grant of £280,000 towards the repair of the tower of a Grade I listed church in North Tuddenham.
 

The tower of this historic church was in danger of collapse. Historic England, which does not normally support places of worship, decided to see the church as an exceptional case.

Tony Calladine from Historic England commented: “The church is…treasured by its local community and it was imperative to act urgently to ensure that the church is saved and protected for the future.”

Funding from Historic England will enable emergency works to stabilise the tower including underpinning, extensive repairs to the tower buttresses, repairs to the tower walls and parapets and installation of a new drainage system.

Throughout the church there are examples of remarkable decoration including wall paintings, framed biblical texts and depictions of the heavens in some of the window arches.

Mike Smith, fabric officer at St Mary’s Church, said: “There’s something about St Mary’s that brings a sense of calm and tranquillity to everyday life. Just looking at the Visitors’ Book reveals that I am not the only one who feels this way.

“Architecturally, it is stunningly beautiful and steeped in nearly 650 years of history. I thought that all this could be lost forever until Historic England intervened with this fantastic offer of help. 

“I hope that their act of generous support is followed by other charities so that we can repair the tower and enjoy this church for many, many years to come.”

Story quotations from EDP. Photo: Historic England
 


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