THREE local churches are among dozens celebrating after being awarded a share of just under £70,000.

The cash from Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) is for essential repairs, conservation and maintenance works. It's being split between 17 churches and recipients include All Saints Pavement in York, All Saints and St James in Nunnington and Portholme Methodist Church in Selby.

The future of many churches is under threat due to crumbling roofs, windows and stonework. The YHCT works to ensure these places of worship are kept in good repair, recognising the contribution they make to society at large and the support they provide to local communities, especially during the ongoing Covid crisis.

The funding provides a vital lifeline to places of worship who have been unable to carry out their usual fundraising activities over the past eighteen months.

The YHCT have given £3,500 towards re-roofing costs to Portholme Methodist and United Reformed Church.

Portholme is a well used community church. It is in use around 60-65 hours per week and is very much part of Selby’s lifeblood with around 500 users coming through the doors. The building hosts blood donor sessions, WeightWatchers, several choirs, judo classes, children’s parties, dementia groups, coffee mornings, toddler group and charity events.

Roger Pipe, Portholme Church Treasurer said: “We were delighted to receive funding from the YHCT towards our re-roofing project. The church is open most days of the week and we host a wide range of community groups and activities as well as our own programme of meetings and events. The new roof will give the church a renewed lease of life and ensure we can continue to serve the local community for many years to come."

Tom Ramsden, Chairman of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, said: “Over the past eighteen months many places of worship have struggled to keep their buildings open and active. These are community places, and many provide a much needed hub for a range of community activities.

“Thanks to the generous support of our Friends and donors we are delighted to support these places of worship, who now more than ever, need our help to ensure they remain standing from many years to come."

You can become a Friend of the Trust and help support local places of worship from as little as £35 per year. For more details visit yhct.org.uk