CHRIST CHURCH SOWERBY BRIDGE SECURES AN AWARDS FOR ALL GRANT TO BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY
Christmas came early for members of Christ Church Sowerby Bridge when they learned they had won a Big Lottery “Awards for All” grant.
They will use the £9,867 to hold a community consultation to explore the needs and social requirements of local people, to identify how the existing church buildings could be used more effectively, made more accessible and developed in the future.
The consultation will continue until March and can be found in church or you can link to it online at www.christchurchsb.org.uk. There will be further opportunity for face to face consultation in the new year.
The vicar, the Revd Canon Angela Dick said: “Our Grade 2 listed building is at the centre of the town and the church tower was covered in scaffolding over the summer for a £200,000 restoration largely funded by English Heritage.
"Now that’s done we’d like our church to be a place that serves its community now and in the future. We really want to learn what people think about the town, its issues and what activities are needed here, and this grant will ensure we reach all parts of our community," she added.
The church already has a Parish and Community Group which was formed 18 months ago to stage some small events. They have worked most recently with the organisers of last week’s ArtSBridge Festival. Vice chair of the PCC and chair of the Parish and Community group, Helen Pedley said “We know we need better access so everyone can access us more easily, but for those who had never been inside the church, the week was a wonderful opportunity to visit and the chance to find out more about the consultation which runs until March.”
The building was open for Thursday’s Arts Trail, hosted the “Liberate” multi discipline performance on Friday night and the children’s Photography competition and the family craft workshop on Saturday 13th.
There is a community Carol Service at 10.30am on Sun 21st. December as well as the regular Tuesday and Saturday coffee mornings.
For more details visit www.christchurchsb.org.uk where there is a link to the on line survey. People can also express their views on paper and there will be opportunities for face to face discussion early next year.