At-risk churches receive funding for urgent repairs

Two historic churches in Leicestershire, including one with a mooning man gargoyle, have received funding for urgent repairs.

Grade I listed St Peter's Church in Wymondham, near Melton Mowbray, and St John the Baptist in King's Norton near Oadby, will both benefit from thousands of pounds directed to them by the National Churches Trust.

The body said the bell tower at St Peter's Church - which will receive £6,500 from the Wolfson Foundation - was a "health and safety risk" and its "decaying" roof was letting water into the building.

Meanwhile, St John the Baptist church will receive £4,369 from the trust itself for its own roof repairs.

St Peter's Church, which dates back to the 12th century, has several centuries-old "amusing and beautiful" gargoyles, including a "mooning man", the trust said.

However, failing masonry from its bell tower was causing a risk to those walking in the churchyard.

Work is also being earmarked for three of the church's roofs, over the nave, the north transept, and the vestry.

In total, almost £300,000 has been raised for the project which is now set to get underway in January 2027.

Tim Bonham, treasurer for the church, said the work would prevent it from becoming a "crumbling historic monument".

At St John the Baptist, the trust said the roof was "failing" with water leaking into the building.

The church was built from Rutland limestone between 1757 and 1775 by Wing the Younger of Leicester for William Fortray, the Squire of King's Norton.

Under the project, the copper roof covering the nave and the chancel will be replaced to make the church windtight and waterproof.

The parapet gutter will also be relined to better direct rain away from the building.

Joanna Wilkinson, a member of Gaulby Group Parochial Church Council, said the funding was "invaluable".

"Making the building wind and weather tight will allow this unique, gem of a church to be appreciated by future generations," she said.

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