Small village near Southam with a fascinating history has been awarded a huge grant to preserve its heritage for future generations
All Saints' church in the tiny village of Ladbroke has been awarded £339,000, so it can be preserved for future generations.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded the money to the All Saints for All Generations project, which is a three-year plan to stabilise the tower, walls and windows of the church. Work should start this year.
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Hide AdA spokesperson from the project said the idea has had fantastic village support, adding: "Through activities for young and old, the fit and the frail, people of all faiths or none, the past will be better understood, the present improved and the future enhanced.
"With many different opportunities to be involved in activities either as volunteers or participants, people will discover more about our built and natural environment, the rich history of Ladbroke and some of the colourful characters in its past.
"Unusually for a church project, the thrust of its educational programme will be to inspire children in STEM subjects, with roll out of the resources to other churches."
Commenting on the award, project leader, Jackie West, said: “We are thrilled to have received this further support thanks to National Lottery players.
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Hide Ad"Critical though the repairs are, it's the activities that excite us.
"Many people do not venture into churches, thinking they are not for me, but this project will show that our church and our heritage are multi-faceted and everyone is welcome to enjoy and be inspired by them.”
On hearing the news, assistant minister, Rev Ann Mulley said: “I'm absolutely delighted that Ladbroke church have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This wonderful building and important part of our national heritage has been a place of sanctuary and the centre of community and of prayer for the village for many thousands of people over the centuries.
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Hide Ad"It’s a great joy that this special place can continue to inspire people in the years to come and to speak of God's love and peace and grace to all”.
When the village of Ladbroke was listed in the Domesday Book it had two priests and a population of around 250.
Today there are still less than 300 people living in the parish and villagers still worship at its church.
All Saints' church is a 700 years old, Grade I listed building on the Heritage at Risk register.
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Hide AdIt has an unusual striped tower, fine stained glass and an interior designed by the famous Victorian architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott, better known for the front of St Pancras Station.
Ladbroke is a place steeped in history, from a hoard of long buried Roman coins to an infamous owner in the 16th century, Robert Catesby, ringleader of the Gunpowder plot.
It housed prisoners of war in both WWI and WWII and soon HS2 will be coming through the parish.
It is rich in wildlife too - there are even bats living at the church.