THE Heritage Lottery Fund is paving the way for a major restoration project at a village church.

St Bartholomew’s Church, Bayton, has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its 'Bayton Church For The Next Generation' project.

The grant will support a major renovation and improvement project for this grade II listed building.

This project will protect and enhance the church for the next generation, enabling many more people to enjoy its rich heritage, which dates back to Norman times.

Development funding of £22,300 has been awarded to help the Mamble with Bayton Parochial Church Council progress their plans for a full grant of more than £200,000.

The project aims to solve long standing problems including re-roofing, providing a new floor, eradicating dry rot and dealing with damp, and masonry and plaster problems.

It also aims to improve facilities by installing a mains water supply, kitchen and toilet.

The church dates from Norman times and has many important features still remaining although it has been altered substantially over the centuries.

Its last major rebuilding work was more than a century ago in 1904/05, costing £1,800, which is equivalent to about £190,000 in today’s terms. Urgent tower repairs were carried out in 2004, costing £50,000.

“This is fantastic news for the community as the grant will help us preserve this delightful historic village church and enable us to make much needed improvements to the facilities, so that many more people will be able to enjoy the rich history and heritage,” said churchwarden Peter Stanley.

“For us, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to enhance our village church for the next generation.”

There will be an open afternoon at St Bartholomew’s Church, Bayton, on Sunday (February 1) between 2pm and 4pm for people to see displays of the history of changes to the church over the centuries and the current proposals to repair, renovate and improve it.