THE bid to help save a Cotswold church in urgent need of repairs has been boosted by a further donation following a successful event.

We reported last week on the recent Saintbury Festival fundraiser at St Nicholas’ Church in Saintbury at which artist and writer Edmund De Waal, actor Michael Maloney, actress Emerald O'Hanarah, actress and singer Golda Rosheuvel and actor Owen Teale came for a day of performance and celebration.

The appearance of the stars of Line of Duty and Netflix hits Bridgerton and The Crown ensured the event was a success, raising £13,000 to help save the church in urgent need of repairs.

Now it has received a further boost with a generous grant of £20,000 from The Saintbury Trust which helps charities in the West Midlands,Warwickshire, Worcestershire and North Gloucestershire.

And plans are also being put in place to host the public on weekly open days throughout the visitor season next year, which would bring in further much needed cash.

The Churches Conservation Trust, 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 with the church under threat from decay the fundraiser was needed, with more than 100 attending over the weekend.

Annabel Lord, who was inspired to organise the Saintbury Festival and launch the appeal to save the church, said: “I hadn’t anticipated how emotional it would feel sitting in that beloved old church, with the spirits of my father and my grandparents in the ether and all the others who have worshipped and come simply to share community there over the centuries.

"It was so wonderful to have such a full house. I am deeply grateful to everyone who came - and brought Saintbury to life again.”

Janet Gough OBE, an expert on church buildings, said: “I loved the service on the morning after the festivities.

"Sitting with others in that ancient church, enclosed in a box pew with our dog at our feet, it provided a special closure to this amazing weekend. It gave us a moment to be quiet and reflect and the sermon was a brilliant reminder of the importance of saving these buildings where prayer has been valid for centuries before us, and about doing everything in a spirit of charity.”

To make a donation to the appeal donate to the Churches Conservations Trust’s Saintbury Appeal at visitchurches.org.uk by calling 0800 206 1463.