A CHURCH at the heart of a heritage project is set to benefit from a major funding boost.
St Faith’s Church in Dorstone has been awarded a £10,000 grant from the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust (HHCT) to support ongoing restoration and improvements as part of the Dorstone Settlement Timeline project.
The funding will help upgrade visitor facilities and create a permanent exhibition space within the Grade II*-listed church to showcase 6,000 years of settlement history in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley.
Dominic Harbour, project co-ordinator for the Dorstone Settlement Timeline, said: "We are delighted that Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust is supporting this transformative project, which is helping us to equip St Faith’s for a dynamic and exciting future.
"Not only will the new facilities directly benefit our community and pilgrims, but they will support the sustainable growth of visitors as we share our unique 6,000-year-old history through the development of new exhibitions, displays and digital guides."
The grant will also contribute to reordering the church nave and installing accessible toilet and kitchen facilities in the base of the tower.
St Faith’s is currently closed for building works and is expected to reopen in summer 2026 with improved lighting, toilets and kitchen.
A programme of free public events is already underway outdoors, Upcoming events include creative wildlife activities in the churchyard from July 11 and 3 October 3, and a community archaeology dig in locations across the village, from August 1 to 9.
John Handby, trustee of HHCT, said: "Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust is delighted to support these renovations and contribute to the exciting future ahead.”
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