News

It is with great sadness that we share the news that one of our Trustees, Mrs Theresa Britt died suddenly just before Christmas.

Theresa was a committed supporter of the Trust, and became a Trustee in 2019. She proved invaluable in this role, leading on communications, helping organise events, and all with grace, sensitivity and a willingness to take on tasks and be a great member of the Trustee team.

In 2021 Theresa was awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Parish Church Studies from York University, and she had recently become Chair of the St Albans Diocesan Advisory Committee. We will miss her greatly.

Theresa was a cherished wife and mother, and our heartfelt condolences go to her husband, The Revd Bill Britt, Vicar of Stotfold and Radwell, and to their their family. Theresa will also be greatly missed by the parish.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has announced that the Government’s Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme will be extended for three years to 31 March 2025.  

Grants cover the cost of VAT on repairs to listed buildings in use as places of worship. 

Applications may be made in respect of repairs to the fabric of the building and include associated professional fees, as well as repairs to turret clocks, bells, and pipe organs.  

This can make a very significant reduction in overall costs and is good news for any listed church engaged in or about to embark on repairs or restoration.

Our Annual Meeting for 2025 will take place at St Owen's Church, Bromham on Saturday 19 July at 2.30pm

With the coach full, we set off from Royston station on our tour which devised by Trustee Richard Genochio.

First stop was St Mary's Godmanchester which is mentioned in the Doomesday book. After coffee, the Vicar gave us an excellent guided tour - pointing out the re-use of Roman bricks, tiles and columns in the construction of this fine Gothic/Early English church which dates from 13th C. 

We then moved on to St Andrew's, Orwell where the tower dates from c1250 and the chancel from c1320. There is a memorial to former Rector Jeremiah Radcliffe, one of the scholars who translated the Authorised Version of the Bible.

After a convivial pub lunch at Orwell, we visited St Helena and St Mary's Church, Bourn. In Early English and later styles, the chancel has a hammer beam roof with angels and surviving rood screen. 

Finally we arrived at St John the Baptist, Royson which was recently restored, and reopened less than a year ago after a devastating fire in 2018. Dating from 1250 it was originally part of an Augustinian Priory and we again had an excellent talk and guided tour. The Trust gave a grant towards the new lighting scheme and it was a joy to see how bright and fresh the interior looked.  After this came a delicious afternoon tea to end of a perfect day, which ran like clockwork thanks to the organising skills of Madeline Russell our Chairman and Theresa Britt, Trustee.