A WORCESTER church is set to become a centre for “arts and learning” thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
With the help of the £196,100 grant secured by the Churches Conservation Trust, St Swithun’s Church in the city centre is set to undergo a transformation into a “sensory space” for art and sound.
The project, run in partnership with The Friends of St Swithun’s, will see the installation of new interactive visitor displays, improved facilities for events and extensive repairs to the roof of the Georgian church.
Vanessa Harbar, head of Heritage Lottery Fund West Midlands (HLF), said: “HLF is pleased to support The Churches Conservation Trust in its project to transform St Swithun’s Church into a centre for heritage, arts and learning in the heart of Worcester.
“The project has successfully reached the halfway mark and thanks to National Lottery players, it will continue to engage the community in a programme of interactive events including displays, poetry and performance workshops in a new and improved church space.”
Residents are invited to the church on Saturday (July 23) for a free Community Open Day, to see the plans and take part in stone carving workshops, storytelling, music and poetry as well as children’s activities and crafts.
The open day event is part of Church Tourism Week a nationwide initiative launched by The Churches Conservation Trust. Running from Friday (July 22) to Sunday (July 31), the week celebrates England’s historic churches with a programme of special events.
Regeneration manager at The Churches Conservation Trust, Isabel Assaly, said:
“Find out about our plans to create SASS: Sound and Art at St Swithun’s – a new sensory space for Worcester. We’ll be running immersive storytelling, poetry and other performances on the day as well as providing craft skills demonstrations and activities for children.
“Come along and let us show you the versatility and potential of this space.”
The Community Open Day will be held on Saturday (July 23) from 10.30am to 4pm at St Swithun’s Church on Church Road.
