It isn’t very often that a potential restoration job is close to home, but last week we were looking at a Mason and Hamlin only a few miles up the road in St Mary’s Church, Ickworth. The Ickworth Church Conservation Trust was set up in 2006 by the present owner, the eighth Marquess of Bristol. The day we visited, the boardings were being removed from the windows and teams of experts in church and stained glass restoration were busy making assessments. An application for a grant from English Heritage will be made in due course. You can read more about the trust here. The accoustics in the church seem remarkable – perhaps a harmonium event will be held there one day!
The church stands in wonderful parkland. Part of Ickworth House is owned by the National Trust and the East Wing is a luxury hotel.
