St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church in Stoke Lacy has been transformed for people and nature, thanks to National Lottery funding.

The wooden shingle tower has been repaired, meaning the church’s medieval bells are now free from bird droppings and sheltered from bad weather. Six new bellringers were trained by the Hereford Diocese Bell Ringers Guild. 

The project team worked with the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to develop the churchyard into a wildlife haven. Nesting boxes have been installed and wild cherry trees and flowers planted.  

Recording and sharing their heritage 

Fifty volunteers received training from the Oral History Society to help them record locals’ recollections of the village.  

The church has also held a series of events celebrating their heritage, including a festival and car rally marking 110 years of the Morgan Motor Company. The company’s founder, Henry Morgan, was born in Stoke Lacy. Morgan Motor Company has funded the project.    

The Stoke Lacy Heritage Society formed through the project and is recording what they find on their ‘Harvesting our Heritage’ website.