This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2013/jun/13/trust-funds-church-treasures

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Trust seeks funds to save church treasures Trust seeks funds to save church treasures
(4 months later)
An appeal for funds to restore a Norman door made within a century of the conquest in 1066, a shell-lined room that inspired Charles Dickens, and a stained-glass window described as a medieval strip cartoon is being launched by the Churches Conservation Trust.An appeal for funds to restore a Norman door made within a century of the conquest in 1066, a shell-lined room that inspired Charles Dickens, and a stained-glass window described as a medieval strip cartoon is being launched by the Churches Conservation Trust.
The trust, which has 340 historic churches in its care, has been promised up to £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create a permanent endowment fund for conservation work on the precious contents of the buildings, including ancient wall hangings, carvings, metalwork and wall paintings.The trust, which has 340 historic churches in its care, has been promised up to £500,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to create a permanent endowment fund for conservation work on the precious contents of the buildings, including ancient wall hangings, carvings, metalwork and wall paintings.
However, it must raise the same amount itself over the next four years to secure the grant, which will also help preserve and provide training in traditional craft skills.However, it must raise the same amount itself over the next four years to secure the grant, which will also help preserve and provide training in traditional craft skills.
Among the first objects being tackled under the scheme is the battered but magnificent oak door, almost 1,000 years old and ornamented with swirling iron work, in the church of St Mary the Virgin at Little Hormead, in Hertfordshire.Among the first objects being tackled under the scheme is the battered but magnificent oak door, almost 1,000 years old and ornamented with swirling iron work, in the church of St Mary the Virgin at Little Hormead, in Hertfordshire.
The door, one of several contenders for the hotly contested title of Britain's oldest door, is so spectacular it was once included in an exhibition on Romanesque art at the Hayward Gallery in London.The door, one of several contenders for the hotly contested title of Britain's oldest door, is so spectacular it was once included in an exhibition on Romanesque art at the Hayward Gallery in London.
Work is also needed on some of the country's oldest and most famous stained glass, the 14th-century Jesse window in the church of St Mary the Virgin in Shrewsbury, whose scenes from the life of St Bernard include him usefully ridding his abbey of flies.Work is also needed on some of the country's oldest and most famous stained glass, the 14th-century Jesse window in the church of St Mary the Virgin in Shrewsbury, whose scenes from the life of St Bernard include him usefully ridding his abbey of flies.
Also on the list is the 14th-century tiled floor of All Saints at Icklingham, in Suffolk, and the layers of 13th- to 19th-century wall paintings at St John the Baptist at Inglesham, in Wiltshire.Also on the list is the 14th-century tiled floor of All Saints at Icklingham, in Suffolk, and the layers of 13th- to 19th-century wall paintings at St John the Baptist at Inglesham, in Wiltshire.
The isolated church of St James at Cooling, on the Hoo peninsula in the Thames estuary, inspired Charles Dickens to create the chilling opening scenes of Great Expectations, when the child Pip is terrified by the escaped convict Magwitch. The graveyard has a cluster of tiny grave markers where 13 babies were buried, described by Dickens and now known as "Pip's graves".The isolated church of St James at Cooling, on the Hoo peninsula in the Thames estuary, inspired Charles Dickens to create the chilling opening scenes of Great Expectations, when the child Pip is terrified by the escaped convict Magwitch. The graveyard has a cluster of tiny grave markers where 13 babies were buried, described by Dickens and now known as "Pip's graves".
The ancient church has a 19th-century vestry whose walls are lined from floor to ceiling with thousands of cockle shells, the pilgrim emblem of St James.The ancient church has a 19th-century vestry whose walls are lined from floor to ceiling with thousands of cockle shells, the pilgrim emblem of St James.
The trust's chief executive, Crispin Truman, said the contents of many of the churches were of exceptional historic and artistic importance, and many were unique.The trust's chief executive, Crispin Truman, said the contents of many of the churches were of exceptional historic and artistic importance, and many were unique.
"We need to protect them for future generations to enjoy," he said. "These contents tell the story of our country, our local communities and many families. They are a unique educational tool for all from school children to academics.""We need to protect them for future generations to enjoy," he said. "These contents tell the story of our country, our local communities and many families. They are a unique educational tool for all from school children to academics."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.