JCB pledges £7,500 to historic village church restoration appeal

A historic Staffordshire Moorlands village church is building firm foundations for the future with support from digger giant JCB.

Cheddleton’s Church of St Edward The Confessor, has been awarded £7,500 towards vital renovation work on the Grade II* listed building which dates back to the 13th Century.

The church discovered its porch roof needed extensive repairs while both porch and interior walls needed damp-proofing at a total cost of £30,000, so parishioner and JCB employee Carole Ball approached the company for help.

An ancient Anglo-Saxon gravestone used as a slab on the porch roof will be preserved as part of the restoration, while the work will also secure the future of important stained glass windows designed by renowned Victorian artist William Morris. One of the windows features the designer himself wearing red socks and another depicts three trumpet-playing angels which went on to become a classic Morris design motif.

The church is an important part of the village; we hold regular services and host community groups including bellringers and a choir. We also have a close relationship with the local school as well as holding events like flower festivals, concerts and even a wedding fair in the church. We are hugely grateful and delighted to have received the donation from JCB.  It takes us three-quarters of the way to our target and we can now plan the work for early in the New Year.  It will mean we can offer a warm welcome for generations to come.

Dr. Henry Hope | Vicar The Revd

For details of services and events at the church visit https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/4219/