St Paul’s Bedford secures Heritage Fund grant for tower clock and bells

St Paul’s Church in Bedford is celebrating after being awarded a £209,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support its Tower Clock and Bells project.

The funding will enable essential repair and conservation work to the church’s historic tower, its clock, first installed in 1811, and its ring of 12 bells, widely regarded as among the finest in England. The project will help ensure these important features continue to serve both the church and the wider Bedford community for generations to come. This award recognises both the heritage value of St Paul’s Church and the commitment of those working to care for and share it with the wider community.

The Revd Anthony Davis, Vicar of St Paul’s Bedford, said the award was a significant encouragement after several years of planning and fundraising:

“We are absolutely delighted. This gives us greater confidence to go ahead, knowing funding from the Heritage Fund is in place, and is also a huge boost in morale for those who have been working very hard on this project for a number of years.”

St Paul’s Church has a longstanding role at the heart of Bedford’s civic and community life. It serves as the Civic and County Church of Bedfordshire, a centre of worship for a widely dispersed congregation, and a focus of ministry in the town centre and parish, one of the most deprived within the Diocese of St Albans.

The Tower, Clock and Bells Appeal was launched in October 2021. While the original fundraising target was £500,000, rising costs, including VAT, have increased the overall target to almost £900,000.

The Bishop of Bedford welcomed the news, saying:

“This is indeed very good news. Congratulations to all concerned!”

Further information about the appeal can be found at www.bedfordclockandbells.com.