St. Dunstan's Parish Church
Peter Everard Smith
Your Heritage
Date awarded
Location
Benenden and Cranbrook
Applicant
The Friends of St Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent
Award Given
£50000
The Grade I-listed St Dunstan’s Church, often referred to as the ‘Cathedral of the Weald’, has been opened up to a wider audience.
The Church contains items and artefacts of local and regional historical interest, including the prototype clock mechanism for Big Ben. The Friends of St Dunstan’s (FOSTD) already had over 100 members running open days, events and concerts, but this project has enabled them to open the church to a wider audience.
Conservation and access works were carried out to the church tower and it is now open for visitors. Leaflets, information boards and a website which includes free downloadable resources for schools and visitors have been produced employing a unifying house-style. Volunteers have been trained as guides and mutually beneficial links have been made with other nearby tourist attractions.
The project aimed to:
- Inspire local residents and young people to explore the history of the church.
- Increase participation in helping preserve this heritage and provide volunteering opportunities.
- Develop the skills and confidence of FOSTD so they can manage events and activities, ensuring wider community use of the church
- Open the tower to the public and offer guided tours.
- Develop a website, with information on the church’s history and downloadable educational materials, as well as information on upcoming events.