Historic Churches in England Granted Cash for Tourist Projects

By Pauline J. Chang

ENGLAND -- Nearly 50 Churches in North Yorkshire have been granted cash awards to fund various audio/video presentations and schemes to elucidate the importance of churches as places of interest.

The grants, funded by the North Yorkshire Church Tourism Initiative, totaling £20,000 (nearly $34,000); more money, which comes from a variety of sources including the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Forward and the Countryside Agency, will be added for new schemes during the second half of the three-year initiative.

St Gregory's Church, Bedale, one of the historic churches receiving the funds, has already used its grant to finance a story trail for children.

Designed and made by members of the congregation, the trail introduces children to the stained glass, wall paintings, carvings, tapestries and sculpture found in the church.

Church Tourism Officer, Catherine Megson, who came up with the idea for a trail, explained that trails are “a wonderful way of encouraging children to explore the church and to learn more about this amazing building."

Other churches that took part in the project include St Mary's Church in Farndale, St Helen's Church in Escrick, Holy Trinity Church in Skipton, The Leper Church in Ripon, St Hilda's Church in Sneaton, St Nicholas' Church in Bransdale, and St Bartholomew's Church in West Witton.

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