NEWPORT Minster has been awarded more than £116,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help with on-going restoration work.


The cash, from the 'grants for places of worship’ funding stream, will help fund essential conservation work on the stonework, roofs and windows of the east end of the church and south east corner.

This will include the large east window, which will be removed to be repaired, and the windows in the Horsey Chapel.

Inside the main west door, the pews beneath the organ loft will be removed to create a welcome area, allowing better access to the church for services and events. 

A new guide leaflet and information boards will be produced as well.

The vicar of Newport, the Rev Kevin Arkell, said: "Newport Minster is providing a daily space for the community and for worship, hosting displays, events and major Island services.

"This next step of our development brings us closer to fulfilling our dreams of serving the Island community."

The Minster has been a focal point for the community for more than 800 years and the project aims to help restore it to good condition.

The grant itself is nearly half the money needed for phase five of the minster's restoration project with the rest coming from other trusts and individual donors.

The previous four phases have focussed on restoring the outside of the north side of the church, including the roofs and the top of the tower.