MORE THAN 70 people turned out to an event at St Michael’s and All Angels Church to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who had helped raise £750,000 to restore the building to its former glory.
The business networking lunch featured Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid as the guest speaker.
Mr Javid talked about his time as the town’s Member of Parliament and in a number of high profile cabinet roles, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, Health Secretary and Home Secretary.
Picture by Julie King Photography. s
He also took questions at the end of the talk from those gathered, which included councillors, business owners and community representatives.
The catering was done by Bromsgrove CP Catering which provided a buffet for the event.
And a bottle of House of Parliament whisky, signed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was auctioned off, leading to a fierce but friendly bidding war.
Picture by Julie King Photography. s
In the end, after the bottle reached £700, it was agreed another signed bottle could be acquired and the two highest bidders – entrepreneur and author Susan Toledo Dieguez and Bob hill, from the Heritage Group, will have their prizes for £650 each – raising £1,300.
That, in addition to the £1,400 raised from sponsorship from organisers Stoke Prior firm Excool and ticket sales will see almost £3,000 go towards maintaining the historic church now it has been restored.
Picture by Julie King Photography. s
Gary Stokes, who led the team which together raised £750,000 through personal donations and grants, said: “One of the things we wanted to do after the successful campaign was thank everyone involved but the pandemic got in the way.
“We are thankful we have now been able to do that today.
“The response from businesses and the community was absolutely phenomenal – raising £750,000 is a massive achievement.
“And the money raised today will go towards the church’s continuing upkeep.”
Picture by Julie King Photography. s
Mr Javid said: “The campaign epitomised the sense of community we have here in Stoke Prior and in Bromsgrove generally.
“This was a fantastic celebratory gathering of local people and businesses who should rightly be celebrating what they have accomplished.
“And we have raised £3,000 to continue that good work.”
The church’s restoration was made possible with the help of charities and trusts, including the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the LG Harris Trust.
