A project to undertake major repairs and create a multi-purpose community space at St Matthew’s Church, Marstow, near Ross-on-Wye, has been completed with the help of a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The grant has been the most important factor in ensuring the success of the project and the community is grateful for this support which has been made possible by National Lottery players.

The project has taken several years from initial plans to completion. St Matthew’s stonework had been deteriorating badly for years, the structure was becoming unsafe and the building was finally put on the ‘At Risk Register’ by Historic England in 2017. Urgent action was necessary, but at a cost of £150,00 it was a huge fundraising task.

The grant has also given the project management team the resources to research the history of the church and also the wider parish of Marstow. Information booklets, leaflets and story boards will be freely available. Members of the Marstow community are looking forward to sharing their smart church and history with new visitors and old friends.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here