Amen to £450,000 history and church repair project

A NEW outdoor heritage sign and an indoor digital information point has wrapped up a £450,000 project to make major repairs at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle.
The works, which started two years ago, made good a significant crack in the west wall’s windows and included repairs to stonework on the tower and windows at the back of the church.
A community project, called Windows to the World, was also launched, which attracted international interest.
It was managed in partnership with archaeological group DigVentures.
Johanna Ungemach, from DigVentures, said much of the project had to go online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The virtual events, which included talks on folklore, the coming of the railway, cholera and mining, attracted 1,462 viewers from 27 countries across five continents.
Church vicar Revd Canon Alec Harding said: “The National Heritage Lottery Fund were really impressed by how Johanna and DigVentures involved the community, particularly in the time of Covid.”
The National Heritage
Lottery Fund contributed £320,000 towards the repair work and heritage project, with the remaining cash coming through other grant schemes. A number of workshops and skill training events were able to take place before the national lockdown was imposed, including some photogrammetry sessions, which resulted in 3D models being created of a host of heritage assets within St Mary’s.
Drones were used to create a similar 3D model of the entire church.
In addition, pupils from Teesdale and Barnard Castle schools began making models of the church in the popular Minecraft computer game.
People keen on the game can now make their own versions of St Mary’s Church by downloading instruction guides.
When Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, DigVentures held a Windows to the World festival which included workshops, concerts, guided tours and talks, as well as a stained glass exhibition.
Ms Ungemach said: “639 people came to the festival and we had 26 different heritage events and activities taking place during the delivery phase.”
The project saw the creation of a new heritage leaflet and history brochure, as well as a revamped website.
Ms Ungemach said: “For me personally, this was the first project I have managed by myself and it would
not have been possible without the help of Alec and Robert [Stenlake – church treasurer].
“It has been amazing, we met so many people who were interested and willing to give up their time to help with the festival and the 3D models.”
People can view the results of the project on the digital information point in the inner porch of the church, which includes the 3D models, as well as all the information about the church, its history and its links to Richard III.