Press release:
St Helen’s Parish Church, Escrick has received “Permission to Start” from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Development phase for the “Walking Through the Centuries with a Legless Knight” project. The project aims to carry out essential conservation work, and create a heritage hub bringing to life the 800 year story of estate, church and community.
“Permission to Start” and first payment from a first round Development Grant of £55,400 was conditional on submission of necessary partner funding guarantees, confirmation of project management structures and associated documentation. This condition has now been fulfilled and first payment is imminent.
As the project team awaited “Permission to Start”, they were delighted to welcome to St Helen’s, Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty and Fiona Spears, Head of HLF, Yorkshire and Humber, to see for themselves the central and symbolic role St Helen’s plays in the heritage of the community, and to be shown some of the features and memorials by distinguished British and wider European artists. Some of these pre-date the present building, back to the remarkable c. 1300 legless effigy of a medieval knight which is thought to be a tribute to Roger de Lascelles, the landowner of the Escrick Estate when England was ruled from York by Edward I.
The visitors’ guided tour was conducted by the project ‘Champion’, Charlie Forbes Adam, head of Escrick Park Estate and former High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, and project team member Chris Mason. The present St Helen’s and many of the finest memorials were commissioned by Charlie Forbes Adam’s forbears, emphasising the strong linked heritage of the church, the village and the Escrick Park Estate.
Left to right: Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire & Humber; Caroline Wandless, Churchwarden and Project Team Leader; Chris Mason, Project Team Member; Charlie Forbes Adam, Project Champion and Head of Escrick Park Estate, and Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty.
Quotes
Commenting on his visit and the project “Walking through the Centuries with a Legless Knight”, Nigel Adams said: “Although I have been to St Helen’s several times, it was quite a revelation to learn how the building and its contents can be made to tell the story of the interwoven heritage of church, village and estate over 800 years. I’m delighted to see that such an enthusiastic and sustainable project in the Selby district has succeeded in gaining Heritage Lottery Fund support . When completed the project should encourage a wider appreciation and use of a historic and welcoming church building.”
Fiona Spiers said: “This project offers a fantastic opportunity to bring this wonderful church to life, through investigation and interpretation of its fascinating history alongside essential conservation work. We are delighted to have taken the first steps with the Legless Knight, and look forward to seeing the detailed proposals in due course.”
Caroline Wandless, Churchwarden and Project Team Leader commented: “It was an unexpected privilege to have the opportunity at this stage to demonstrate to Fiona and Nigel how much heritage we have to showcase at St Helen’s, and how we can open up this wonderful building to a wider community. Now we have “Permission to Start” we can proceed to appoint the Architect and select specialists to detail our proposals for submission to the HLF later in 2017 for consideration for a full Delivery phase grant which would enable us to complete the project in 2018.
Notes to editors
About St Helen’s Church Escrick
St Helen’s Parish Church of Escrick was built in 1857 and is a Grade II * Gothic Revival building. The Architect was Francis Penrose, Surveyor of St Paul’s Cathedral and later President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). It sits majestically at the side of the A19 half way between York and Selby. The Church is in the Derwent Deanery within the Diocese of York. The Church is available for all Parish residents for weddings, baptisms and funerals and provides a venue for concerts by local choirs who appreciate the natural acoustic of the building, art exhibitions and school visits. St Helen’s generates opportunities for people to feel part of something special, with more than 60 people involved in various volunteering activities from cutting the Churchyard grass, cleaning, helping with fund raising events, flower arranging, editing and distributing the parish magazine to name but a few. St Helen’s provides an enduring presence in the community, open to all, and offers a haven of tranquillity and stability in busy world.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Grants programme applications are assessed in two rounds. A first-round pass is given when HLF has endorsed outline proposals and earmarked funding. A first-round pass may also include an immediate award to fund the development of the project. Detailed proposals are then considered by HLF at second-round and as long as plans have progressed satisfactorily and according to the original proposal, an award for the project is confirmed.
Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery @HLFYandH
Further information
Caroline Wandless - Church Warden. Tel 07774 461026 or email escrickchurch@gmail.com or
Chris Mason Tel 01757 248039/07715 004346