Swann urges local churches to tap into roof repair fund

MR Robin Swann MLA, Ulster Unionist Party Assemblyman and his party’s candidate for Westminster for North Antrim has called on the constituency’s churches “to take full advantage of the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund which is specifically for urgent repairs to public places of worship across the UK”.

Assemblyman Swann, who is also UUP Chief Whip and Chairman of Stormont’s Employment and Learning Committee, said the fund “represents a terrific opportunity to maintain and develop the constituency’s rich heritage when it comes to historic places of worship”.

Mr Swann said: “North Antrim has a lot of churches which could potentially benefit from this fund and I encourage church leaderships to apply for this funding as soon as possible.

“It is intended to ensure historic places of worship can remain open for commemoration, services and other community functions and events.

“Grants are available from £10,000 to £100,000 to help meet the costs of urgent repairs to roofs, for example, coverings, timbers, ceilings and vaults) and rainwater disposal systems, for example, gutters, valleys, hoppers, downpipes, gullies, drains and soakaways.

“However, there is only one opportunity to apply.The closing date for applications is 12pm (noon) Friday 30 January 2015.

“This is a British Government-sponsored fund set up to help make the UK’s listed places of worship weathertight, safe and open for use. It is administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport,” said Assemblyman Swann.