Following a spate of lead thefts from Suffolk church roofs last year a surgery is to be held by South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge for churches across Suffolk and Norfolk to discuss possible funding for repairs.
Churches in Lavenham and Groton were just two of a number of churches hit across the county. In Lavenham the theft left £150,000 worth of damage.
Following the attacks Mr Cartlidge contacted the Department of Culture, Media and Sport regarding the Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund to ask whether the fund could be extended to include churches damaged by thieves.
Following support from all Suffolk MPs, Tracey Crouch MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage announced that the fund would be extended.
Now in its second application period, the Repair Fund will assign funds to churches needing repair.
Mr Cartlidge has organised a surgery for those affected churches across Suffolk and Norfolk to come and talk to representatives of the LPOW: Roof Repair Fund about their applications.
The surgery will be held on Friday, January 22, in Lavenham Church.
“The surgery will be a great opportunity for the representatives from the affected churches to discuss the application process with the LPOW Roof Repair Fund team,” said Mr Cartlidge.
“I hope that this process will enable as many affected churches as possible to enter successful applications so that they may receive funding for the necessary repairs following these abhorrent crimes.”
More information can be found at www.lpowroof.org.uk/.
Published in the SFP