Click HERE to see our Vicar, Rev Andrew Cinnamond, talking about the start of the project works

The Story So Far

Our Restoration and Reordering Project – Project Inspire – has been running now for ten years.  A huge amount of work has been completed to develop plans, consult with the church and wider community as well as working with the Diocese of Gloucester in order to achieve our objectives.  These are:

  • Conserving our heritage
  • Making bold improvements
  • Creating welcoming spaces
  • Reducing our carbon footprint

Our Petition for a Faculty (and amendment) was approved by the Chancellor of the Diocese in June 2024 allowing further detailed work to be undertaken to bring the project to a position where we could go out to tender.

A copy of the Chancellor’s judgement can be read here Lechlade St Lawrence decision 05.06.2024
and the final, sealed faculty can be seen here Faculty sealed.

In late 2024 a faculty and planning permission were granted for photovoltaic cells to be installed on the south aisle; we await the outcome of a planning application. Our detailed document setting out the scheme is here Lechlade St Lawrence Net Zero_Proposals

In addition, the project has been successful in winning a grant through the Church Of England Demonstrator Churches Project which forms part of the Net Zero Programme aiming to help churches pay for items such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, secondary glazing and LED lighting.

Pledges and Fundraising

Our parishioners have been very generous in making pledges and other gifts to help funding of Project Inspire.  Likewise, there have been many fundraising events – such as an Auction of Promises, Open Gardens and concerts – which have been well supported by church members and the local community.  The PCC is very grateful for these contributions.

Grants

Using money raised by National Lottery players, the National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK@s heritage.  Project Inspire is made possible with the national lottery Heritage Fund.  Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to begin restoration and reordering work on-site. 

 

 

 

We are also very grateful to the following trusts for making grants towards Project Inspire:

  • Benefact Trust £48,500
  • Dove Trust £500
  • Emmanuel College £1,500
  • The Dyers Company £5,000
  • The Joseph Rank Trust £35,000
  • The Beatrice Laing Trust £25,000
  • Glos Historic Churches Trust £10,000
  • Diocesan Minor Works Fund £1,000
  • The CofE Net Zero Project £86,000

Donations

Donations may be made direct to the Project Inspire Bank account:
     Parochial Church Council Lechlade
     Sort Code 20-84-61
     Account 63394069

The brochure describing Project Inspire to restore and re-order St Lawrence to make it fit for today and for future generations is available here:
       Project Inspire Brochure 2023

If you have any questions about the project or the pledging process please contact Andrew, the Churchwardens, Nigel Jones (Project Inspire Chair) or David Turtle (fundraising lead) all of whom will be delighted to talk to you – please make initial contact via email. 

If you would like to make a pledge for the project please use this form: Project Inspire Pledge Form

Questions?

Follow THIS LINK to the FAQs page