A GRANT of £10,000 has been given to help a 12th century church modernise by updating its decades old technology systems.
St. Mary’s Church in Lytchett Matravers has benefitted from the Talbot Village Trust donation with the installation of a new sound system, better wiring, lighting and more.
This new equipment has allowed the church to live stream its weekly and monthly services to reach parishioners who can’t attend in person. Funerals, weddings and services such as the Light Party at Halloween have all benefitted from the new system.
Stephen Partridge, vicar at St Mary’s, said: “My greatest desire for our church is to be accessible to the whole community. This grant from Talbot Village Trust has made this possible by enabling many more people to access the gatherings and services that are hosted within our wonderfully historic building.”
The church had been without a specialist sound system for people with hearing aids for more than ten years after its previous hearing loop, dating back to the 1980s, had broken.
The remaining funds have been put towards updating the church’s wiring, lighting, sound and vision systems. Where before the wiring was visible and unsightly, the new rewiring scheme has improved the aesthetics of the church interior, while also being in line with current safety guidelines.
An old spotlight system has made way for a modern and environmentally friendly LED lighting track, which allows the lighting to be easily tailored to each service or event.
Nicholas Ashley-Cooper, Talbot Village Trust chair, said: “Enriching our communities is our main goal at Talbot Village Trust, and accessibility is a crucial part of that. We are proud to be able to provide this grant to St. Mary’s Church, enabling its longevity and allowing the community to gather and worship here for many years to come, both in person and virtually.”
The church is home to a range of community groups, including Beavers, a history group and an art group. Visit smlm.co.uk for more information.
To apply for funding from the Talbot Village Trust, visit talbotvillagetrust.org for the online application.
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