The National Churches Trust is excited to announce that volunteers from Wisbech St Peter & St Pauls church are amongst the finalists in the inaugural National Church Awards.
In 2018, the church building was added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register with urgent repairs posing a health and safety risk. With a major funding stream about to close, there was simply no time to waste - so the project team, led by the PCC Treasurer Val Spriggs, sprang into action to deliver a major project with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Four years later and the project is nearing completion having faced just about every challenge possible.
This success, coupled with the commitment, enthusiasm and determination of the team prompted a well-deserved nomination to the Church and Community Volunteers Award, one of the categories in the National Church Awards - And it was announced this week that the team have passed the shortlisting stage and are one of only nine finalists.
“The Church and Community Volunteer Awards are run in partnership with the Marsh Charitable Trust. These awards celebrate the vital contribution which volunteers make to both looking after and making best use of churches to benefit local communities and people. Judges are looking for innovative and engaging activities which involve the wider community.”
National Churches Trust
As part of the submission, the Trust asked, 'what is your star community activity'. For St Peter’s and St Paul’s this was a range of activities with local schools.
“There was an opportunity to work with schools as part of a project supported by the Heritage Fund and local charities. Our aim was not just to teach children about the heritage of the church, but to involve them in the project to develop key skills. Six schools took part in activities including work with a local reporter and photographer. Pupils work has been displayed in the church and they have created a guidebook (pictured) being used by visitors. More recently, pupils took part in a Heritage Careers Day, having a go at heritage crafts and skills.”
Holly Isted, Historic Church Buildings Support Officer
The technical judging panels will decide on the winning entries over the coming fortnight. Winners will be invited to an event which will congratulate all finalists and the work done by volunteers at churches across the country.
Find out more via the Project Blog and on the National Churches Trust website.