Lottery grant for Combe Martin church

THE hidden medieval heritage of St Peter Ad Vincula Parish Church in Combe Martin is to be brought back to life thanks to a �45,000 grant. The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the church to carry out repairs and restoration to a rare and a

THE hidden medieval heritage of St Peter Ad Vincula Parish Church in Combe Martin is to be brought back to life thanks to a �45,000 grant.

The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the church to carry out repairs and restoration to a rare and ancient wooden rood screen which still bears its original medieval paintings.

The �64,000 project will allow for the careful removal of centuries of grease and grime, bringing to light the individual paintings of 23 saints and apostles - one for each panel - that adorn the screen.

The project has been match funded with �18,500 from Devon Historic Churches Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Headley Trust (Sainsbury Family,) the Margaret Clennell Gift Fund and the Idlewild Trust.

The seed of the funding came from a "�1 Talent" given to Elizabeth two years ago as part of a church initiative where people were presented with a pound and invited to use their talents to to raise funds for the church.