The St Mary’s Uplift!

Old but New

St Mary’s may be a mediaeval building – it’s the old Priory church with glorious features dating back hundreds of years – but it’s also the hub of the High Street with concerts and cafes, workshops and displays alongside a full pattern of services and spiritual activity. Last week it hosted a peace event of talks & music from Israeli and Palestinian speakers & performers; performers such as Damon Albarn play here, there are festivals and community events all year round.

Hard Work

Everyone loves using it and visiting it. 40,000 people a year walk through the doors.

Yet it’s a challenge. The heating doesn’t work, the pews restrict use of the space, there’s minimal food & drink options and then there’s toilets and the lack of accessible facilities!

Can we get the cash!?

All this needs to change and St Mary’s, with the local community, is on the verge of a major grant of £960,000 to do it – solar energy, environmentally sound heating, remodelling the interior to retain the heritage but give space for activities, refreshment areas and accessible toilet.

But it needs the local funding support to make this grant happen and it needs it now.

If you would like to donate, get involved or just want to know more, Click here