The Friends of Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust

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 Historic Churches Trust 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 Historic Churches Trust

The Friends of Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust

Download the leaflet and application for membership form.

The Friends of Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust, 2010-11

The number of Friends of Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust continues to grow, and their support for and contribution to the work of the Trust is greatly appreciated. We are always happy to welcome guests on our visits, and it's easy to join the Friends of NHCT; forms are at the end of this Annual Report. As I write, the Trustees are considering a specific project which might be a suitable choice for a Special Award to be made in the name of the Friends.

Friends have enjoyed several interesting visits in the last year, including a lovely summer day in the north of the county, where we visited intriguing Carburton church which probably left us all with more questions than answers, despite Dr Christopher Brooke's amazing depth of knowledge, and then on to the imposing parish church at Laxton where we were treated to tea after Chris's most engaging tour. In the autumn we went to Norwell where Professor Michael Jones (who has since become a Trustee) took us on a tour through the history of the church and the village, which must be one of the best living history sites in the county when one is shown where to look. After our walk through the village, Brenda from the Village Shop gave us a magnificent and warming tea in the modern village hall, which was hugely appreciated. In March 2011 we enjoyed the immense privilege of a visit to the newly built Thoresby Park, the successor house to the Victorian Thoresby Hall, and to Perlethorpe church, the estate church of the Manvers family.

The Summer Party at Staunton Hall, generously hosted by Mr and Mrs Edmund Staunton, was held on a perfect June evening and greatly enjoyed by a capacity group of Friends and supporters of the Trust. The evening included a recital by Paul Hale on the newly restored organ in the church in the grounds. In May 2010 the Trust was host to the annual County Churches Trusts' conference, held in the Great Hall at Southwell Minster and attended by representatives of 27 of the other County Trusts and of the National Churches Trust. This was a great opportunity to show off to other Historic Churches Trusts and to learn from them, as we all face the battle to keep our historic churches in good repair for future generations. The work of the Nottinghamshire Historic Churches Trust is well up with the best of them, and the county is wonderfully endowed with a great architectural heritage which is so well worth looking after.

The Trust will be celebrating its 25th birthday on 31st December 2011, and to mark this milestone we are starting with a concert in the Minster on 29th September 2011 by The Sixteen, Harry Christophers' fabulous choir, as part of their 2011 Pilgrimage. Tickets are available from the Minster Shop, but be quick! We then plan a series of special events in 2012, so see our website www.nottshistoricchurchtrust.org.uk for details.

Anthea Moat,
Secretary / Administrator