Recently we have undertaken ambitious projects to carry out urgent repairs on All Saints’ Tower, to install modern amenities (kitchenette & equal-access WC) and start an exciting heritage programme to appeal to a wide audience. The heritage activity programme is concentrated on three main areas: Art, History & Heritage, and Nature & Outdoors. There are many ways to participate, ranging from individual pursuits to group sessions, e.g tile designs, bat-watching, photographic projects, etc.

Although planning started in 2016,it took much time, fund-raising and energy to  make this happen, The church was closed for a year (2022-2023) to allow building work to take place. Scaffolding was erected around the Tower to give access to the parapets, pinnacles, stonework and other exterior parts that need replacing. Foundations and drainage were installed for the small extension on the north side that houses the much-needed amenities. 

Since re-opening in 2023, the church has seen a remarkable increase in local interest and visitor appreciation, A full programme of activities ranging from arts & crafts, history and art appreciation inside the church to exploration of the enormous churchyard and nature-based events, such as nest-building and leaf-printing which has attracted families, the young and old as well as special interest groups. Trails to explain items of special interest are hugely popular. Our new amenities make it possible to encourage many more people to visit the church. For up-to-date information on the programme please see

https://www.instagram.com/all.saints.and.st.james.bsea
https://facebook.com/CofEBrightlingsea     

Or email us at AllSaints_Activities_Brightlingsea@outlook.com

  

Kick-started by generous local fund-raising, mostly from  the Friends of All Saints’, over the past  few years other grants have been pledged by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Friends of Essex Churches Trust, Essex Heritage Trust, Benefact Trust, National Churches Trust and other funders to make our dreams a reality – the overall cost is now near £825,000. 

But we will continue to find ways to maintain and preserve our wonderful heritage – the next step is to restore the bells. We are fortunate to have two of the remaining Tudor bells (one dating from 1400 and weighing half a ton) as well as a set of Victorian tubular bells, which when restored can be rung for weddings, funerals and special events. We have to fund this ourselves, so local public support is vital.  Over the past months we have installed a new galvanised steel beam from which the bells were lowered, and the bells are currently being restored at a bellhanger’s workshop. We expect them to be returned and back in place by the end of October 2026, ready to be rung electronically.  Click here to find out how you can help.