An important slice of Rainhill history is to be preserved – thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
St.Ann's Church in Rainhill, built in 1839, was awarded the grant to repair and conserve its lych gate – the covered entrance to the church grounds - originally built in 1915.
The money will also be used to engage the local community – through a free exhibition staged by Rainhill Civic Society. The exhibition will tell the story of the village’s heritage and, specifically, the role played by the Roby family in Rainhill’s development.
Local schoolchildren will be given the opportunity to take part in a photography workshop, focusing on historical architecture, while the contractor chosen to carry out the lych gate work will offer a work shadowing experience to a student from St.Helens College.
Rainhill Parish Council will add £12,000 to the project, while the church will contribute a further £2,000. A member of the Roby Family is also donating £1,000.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Communications and Town Centre Councillor Barrie Grunewald said: “This has been a real team effort, with several parties coming together to preserve and celebrate an important part of Rainhill’s heritage.
"We’re extremely pleased to have been able to help secure the grant.”
Derek Broome from St.Ann’s Church said: “Support for this project is very strong locally and we’re delighted that the council’s Cultural Funding Advisor has been able to help us secure the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund."
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