Nottinghamshire's churches bear witness to 1,000 years of Christian worship. Restoration costs continue to rise and sources for grants are under increasing pressure.

Since 1986 the Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust (NHCT) has awarded grants for repairs to stonework, roofs, windows, timberwork, bell-frames and bells and has helped to replace old heating and electrical systems.

The Friends of Nottinghamshire Churches supports the work of the Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust in preserving these historic buildings through grants for essential repairs.

You can help continue this vital work by becoming a Friend of Nottinghamshire Churches

• to support the work of the Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust
• to help ensure the future of Nottinghamshire s historic churches and chapels
• to share in the conservation of the Christian Heritage

The Friends of Nottinghamshire Churches

• have priority booking for the NHCT Summer Party at a special Friends Rate
• receive a regular report on the churches grant-aided by the NHCT
• have mailings about Friends Events, lectures and visits

Download the leaflet and application for membership form.

The Friends 2007 and 2008

The Friends of NHCT is an important fundraising and networking group for the charity - supporting the charity financially but also by spreading the word about our work. Our Friends can rightfully feel they are contributing to the preservation of some of our County's most beautiful and historically significant churches and chapels.

The first Friends' event of the year was a visit in May to St Mary the Virgin, Attenborough, for a 'walk and talk' followed by tea at the Attenborough Nature Centre. In June, Friends met for a lecture given by one of Trustees of NHCT, Dr Jenny Alexander, at St Mary and St Martin, Blyth, followed by afternoon tea at the Vicarage.

In September there was a particularly enjoyable trip to St James, Papplewick, and St Michaels, Linby, with a talk at each from Mr Graeme Renton, church architect and Chair of NHCT's Grants Sub-Committee. Both churches were beautifully decorated for Harvest Festival and many hardy Friends tackled the 20 minute walk between the churches in both directions. For the return trip they were fortified by an afternoon tea which has gone down in the annals of NHCT as being the best ever!

The number of Friends grew over the summer of 2007 by 10% and we hope that this upward trend will continue as we add to our range of events and activities. The financial contribution by Friends is vital to the Trust's ability to fund church restoration projects and the Trustees and Patrons extend their warm thanks to Friends - old and new - who continue to support our work.

Kate Lewis
Secretary