St Mary’s Church at Lydiard Park wins £600k National Lottery grant

Lydiard Park's St Mary's Church, has received a National Lottery grant award from the Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve its gorgeous interiors.

The project aims include conserving the building's extensive and nationally significant medieval wall paintings, 17^thCentury monuments, ancient carved woodwork and star-spangled ceiling.

Made possible by National Lottery players, the grant of £615,000 towards the £901,605 delivery phase will enable the church to carry out the conservation work, environmental improvements and access improvements to St Mary’s Church as well as the delivery of a specialist training programme and associated learning, volunteering and community engagement activities. 

The project aims to rescue the church from deteriorating further and improve public access by re-opening the hidden south porch and creating a welcoming interpretation and activity area. The church plans a wide range of educational activities and events as well as offering training and volunteer opportunities for local people, families, schoolchildren and higher education students. These will include hands-on conservation workshops and skills training. 

St Mary’s stands behind Lydiard House and currently attracts more than 8,100 visitors a year and is well used by local schools. 

For more information visit the church website at www.stmaryslydiardtregoze.org.uk