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 2008-09

During my first year as secretary to the Trust I have had the pleasure of meeting many of the Friends at the various events which we organised during 2008.  For the Summer Party in the Walled Garden at Clumber Park, including a talk by Dr. Rory O’Donnell, the weather just managed to behave like a summer evening, after a downpour by way of a prelude.  The visit in July to three churches in the northeast of the County took place on a glorious summer day, and each church was lovingly and enthusiastically portrayed by a member of its congregation.  The visits ended with a most delicious and indulgent tea.  There was competition for “the best tea of the year” after our fascinating visit to Thurgarton church, which included the Undercroft of the original Priory, beneath what is now a private house next to the church. Dr. Jenny Alexander was a most enthusiastic guide, and the church warden and her husband added a wealth of interesting detail to the tour.

2009 started with an illustrated talk in the Great Hall of the Minster by Paul Hale, the Rector Chori.  It was entitled “Painted Organ Pipes of Nottinghamshire & Beyond” and Paul’s wonderful slides slid effortlessly across the wall of the Great Hall with pictures of organ pipes in every hue, shape and configuration.  None of us will visit a church again without taking particular note of its organ pipes!  The Summer Party this year will be in the form of a concert in Southwell Minster by the famous Cantamus Girls Choir on Saturday 27th June, and anyone who would like tickets should get in touch with me.  We are planning other church visits, and will be contacting all Friends when the details are available.

Each and every one of the Friends of NHCT are valued and appreciated, and I have been spending time sorting through the paperwork and learning how we can make the scheme more efficient and interesting, and more of an asset to the Trust.  I do now feel I know how the scheme is organised, and we can set about some restructuring to make the support of the Friends more relevant, and a bigger part of the Trust.  We will be recruiting support, so I hope that anyone reading this will consider joining the Notts. Historic Churches Trust, thereby helping us to continue giving grants to the churches and chapels of Nottinghamshire, so they may continue to serve their communities, and to give joy and peace to those who visit them.

Anyone interested in joining the Friends can download the application form from our website www.nottshistoricchurchestrust.org.uk or get in touch with me or other officers and Trustees of the Trust.

Anthea Moat,
Secretary / Administrator