Church community's joy as Barnsley Council's first Love Where You Live project is completed

A church community in the Dearne has put funding from Barnsley Council to good use to carry out much-needed repairs and improvements, safeguarding the much-loved venue for the future.

The project at St Helen’s Church in Thurnscoe is the first to be completed under Barnsley Council's Love Where You Live programme.

The church and its adjacent church hall have both had work completed to help future-proof them as community assets and support efforts to build stronger and more connected communities.

The Vicar of St Helen’s, Rev Sarah Maughan, was presented with a cheque for a Love Where You Live grant at the launch of St Helen’s Good Food Pantry at the church hall in June.

The repairs and improvements funded by the grant were carried out over a four-week period by contractors J. Lazenby Construction Ltd.

They included:

·      Repairs to the bell tower and the roof of the church

·      Joinery repairs to the tower and painting of the shutters

·      Steel mesh being fitted to window openings

·      New fascias, drainage and lead flashing

·      A new roof to the rear of the church hall

Barnsley Council's Dearne Area Team worked with the team at St Helen’s to help coordinate the project from start to finish.

The church hall is used all week for various group and activities, many of them run by volunteers.

They include the pantry and warm space, concerts, youth group, bingo sessions, book sales, volunteer training, rehabilitation classes and evenings of food and fellowship.

Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, Cllr Wendy Cain, said: “It’s wonderful to see these works completed and I'm really pleased that Barnsley Council has provided this investment into supporting our local communities. I know they will make a huge difference to parishioners of St Helen’s and the wider Thurnscoe community.

“Love Where You Live is all about building stronger, connected communities where everyone feels they belong and can live a fulfilling life.

“I look forward to the completion of further exciting projects under this campaign as we aim to celebrate and cement our community connections.”

Vicar of St Helen’s, Rev Sarah Maughan, said: “After the works were completed, we had a heavy downpour of rain, and it was such a relief that our buckets were not needed! 

“The support from, and collaboration with, the Love Where You Live campaign has been incredible. Without this financial backing, we couldn't have had the work completed at this time. 

“I love this community and very much Love Where I Live.”

Through our Love Where You Live programme, Barnsley Council is investing £3.5 million in street scene improvements and community projects like this.

We're also encouraging everyone to try something and get involved in their community.

Find out what's on in your area and how you can play your part at barnsley.gov.uk/LoveWhereYouLive.

Photo captions: Vicar of St Helen's, Rev Sarah Maughan, and parishioners with Dearne North ward councillors outside the St Helen's Church in Thurnscoe.