Crumbling St Cuthbert’s Church in Birkby one of dozens given six-figure cash grants for vital repairs

May 28 2010 by Nick Lavigueur, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CRUMBLING churches have been given the chance to fix up their broken roofs and walls.

Grade II listed churches across Kirklees and Calderdale have been handed more than £½m by English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund for urgent repairs.

Four churches in the region have been given six-figure cash boosts

St Cuthbert’s Church in Birkby, Huddersfield, topped the list with a £173,000 hand-out.

The Rev Mary Railton-Crowder said the decaying church had an unwanted water feature.

“Water runs down the walls when it rains,’’ she said.

“The grant is an incredible boost and we’re absolutely delighted.

“Both sides of the church have completely worn out and water has been coming into the church for quite a long time.

“That’s ruined the plasterwork and it’s begun to seep into the roof timbers.

“We realised last year we had an incredible task in front of us.

“I don’t know how we would have managed to raise that sort of money so we’re thrilled.

“We’ve got about £80k to raise ourselves but we’re going to apply for some more grants.”

Mrs Railton-Crowder said she hoped they could survive one more winter and work would begin next spring.