Broomfield & Alexander helps local Church bid for Heritage Lottery Funds.

The Van Road United Reformed Church in Caerphilly is delighted to announce that it has received a grant of £82,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to carry out essential repair work. The grant is a significant contribution towards the £134,150 required to secure the exterior of the building, which is now deteriorating rapidly, and restore it to its original splendour.

The award comes following the work of a large number of people from the community, congregation and businesses, including South Wales professional advisors Broomfield & Alexander, who specialise in working with charities and who have helped with the development of a business plan and preparing statutory charity accounts.

Van Road United Reformed Church was built in 1904 and is located on a prime site near the town’s shopping centre, set amongst mostly Victorian terraced houses and close to a large primary school of similar age.

One of the assets bequeathed by the church’s founders is a suite of different sized rooms below the magnificent first floor sanctuary, instead of the more common large hall. This unusual feature was due to the vision of the first minister, the Revd. Edward Bush. He saw the church building as a centre of community as well as a place of worship. In his concern for the wider needs of the people living around the building he wanted flexible spaces that would be comfortable (each room had a fireplace!) for all sorts of groups to use. This continues to be the church’s vision.

The first priority (for which the HLF grant has been awarded) is to re-render the exterior of the building and repair the tower to keep the rain out. It is hoped that this work will begin before the end of the year.

The HLF grant will assist the church with the first phase of the overall restoration and refurbishment of the building. The second phase will involve restoring the interior of the building to bring it up to 21st century standards, thus providing high quality facilities for community activities and those of the congregation.

Commenting on the award, minister Revd. Shelagh Pollard said, ‘The HLF grant is wonderful news. We are committed to the twin aims of addressing community needs and safeguarding our heritage.  We hope that both these needs can be balanced sympathetically in what will be an attractive and welcoming Centre, housing church and community activities together. This award brings closer the realisation of our dream.’

Explaining the importance of the award Katherine Broadhurst from Broomfield & Alexander, said:  “Van Road United Reformed Church is an important heritage asset for the people of Caerphilly.  We are delighted that this grant will help secure its future, not just as a place of worship, but as a focus for community activities.”

If you are interested in accessing funding to grow your business please contact our corporate finance team on 029 2054 9939 or email them at funding@broomfield.co.uk

 

Date: 13th November