STARS of Game of Thrones, Line of Duty and Bridgerton are tunring out to help save an historic church in Broadway.
Owen Teale, known for his role as Chief Inspector Phillip Osborne in the BBC police drama and Alliser Thorne in Game of Thrones, and Golda Rosheuvel, who plays Queen Charlotte in Bridgerton, will have roles in a day of performance and celebration for St Nicholas’ Church, Saintbury on September 11.
Shakespeare on Love, directed by Caroline Gawn, will bring alive the words and music of Shakespeare and his contemporaries as part of a programme of talks, theatre and music to be held in the church to launch a campaign to raise funds for urgent repairs.
The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), the national charity that protects over 356 churches at risk, has kept Saintbury church wind and watertight, including funding the painstaking restoration of priceless 17th century wall paintings but it has taken a group led by NHS psychotherapist Annabel Lord to join forces with the charity, local people and some famous friends to plan the event.
Mrs Lord said: “If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s the value of re-connecting with the past and with our historic environment.
"Saintbury church is one of my favourite places on the planet, a constant source of happiness and inspiration.
"When I plucked up the courage to borrow the key, I was shocked to find a dusty building that was barely holding its head above water despite huge efforts by the CCT, its precious wall-paintings in danger from water damage and makeshift tarpaulin protecting the roof after significant lead theft.
"I feel we need to repair the roof and open the doors so that more people can access and enjoy this magical place.
“It would be great if our work in saving and reclaiming this hidden gem for the community could be an inspiration to others to embark on similar events to keep their buildings and our collective history alive.”
Peter Aiers, chief executive of Churches Conservation Trust, said: “We are thrilled that Annabel came to us with this brilliant plan, and grateful to all those who are now inspired to join the Saintbury campaign.
"We look after historic church buildings all over the country and encourage and support communities to use and love them. Every building needs ‘saintly’ people, willing to gather together to keep them alive – and find new ways of using them.”
Tickets are available from the Churches Conservation Trust website.
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