Neil Carmichael - MP for Stroud

Neil Carmichael supports church conservation

Neil Carmichael visited Brookthorpe last Friday in order to attend St Swithin's Church, a 13^th Century building no longer in use with the Church of England and is maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, a charity dedicated to up keeping and maintaining churches that are no longer in service.

The Church is categorised by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building though as it is no longer part of the Church of England, without the care and consideration of the Churches Conservation Trust it would be in danger of degradation.

The Trust has nearly 350 historic churches in its possession; all of them in a similar position to St Swithin's which in order to maintain in a pristine fashion for the nearly 2 million people that visit them every year must raise over £5 million a year to ensure their upkeep and in some cases restoration.

Neil said: 'St Swithin's is a beautiful church, set in a wonderful village amidst the wonderful countryside and is very rightfully, being very looked after. Though if it wasn't for the tireless work of the Churches Conservation Trust hundreds of churches, a large swathe of our national heritage, would be at the mercy of the elements - they deserve our thanks and our support to ensure they are able to continue the work they are so ably conducting.'

St Swithin's is a fortunate example of a church that has received a restoration thanks to the Churches Conservation Trust, though others spread far and wide across the Country will not be so lucky if they cannot get the support that they need.

St Swithun's will be hosting a carol service this Chistmas, on Saturday, 10th December beginning at 7pm, all are free to attend.

 

Tags: Upton St. Leonards, Bisley and Painswick | Stroud East | Stroud West | North Stroud | Rodborough | Chalford | Nailsworth and Minchinhampton | Berkeley Vale | Cam and Dursley | Stonehouse

This entry was posted on 21 November 2011 at 11:00 and is filed under Culture and Tourism | The Community.