Lottery cash is a providing a kickstart to a marathon fund-raising campaign towards restoration at St Peter’s church.

A development grant has been awarded to the parish church of St Peter the Apostle-in-Thanet in Hopeville Avenue, St Peters, Broadstairs.

The money is a welcome boost to the launch of fundraising to find £250,000 to restore the badly damaged tower and clock at the 1,000-year-old church.

Celebrity TV weather girl Kaddy Lee- Preston visited the church to unveil the money “thermometer” to show fund-raising progress.

Money is also being raised to improve much needed community cultural and educational facilities by adapting the church and its buildings.

Kaddy is also attending the main launch function at the Church on April 4. There will be a special presentation in the church about the challenges faced by St Peter’s and the community, followed by a dinner and entertainment in the main hall with fund raising activities.

Kaddy said: “I am delighted to be involved with this very worthwhile cause. The pictures show the 15th Century Tower and Victorian clock are in a dreadful state and urgently need restoring. The rest of the Church’s plans to improve the use of their buildings are exciting and it’s fabulous to be working with a group who care so much about their community. I very much look forward to helping them to raise awareness and money for the tower and beyond.”

An application will now be submitted for full Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF). The project’s success in the first round marks HLF’s recognition for its potential, with high quality benefits and value for lottery money.

The Rev Jonathan Cruickshank said: “The church has given the village of St Peters a place for Christian worship and a centre for community activity for nearly 1000 years and it’s great to know that we are a step closer to preserving it for another millennium. We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund have indicated their support for the church project.”

The parish church of St Peter the Apostle-in-Thanet is a Grade II listed building dating from around 1070. It is known there was a chapel of ease on the site before the church was built.

The tower was added in the 15th Century and was a prominent landmark for sailors for centuries.

It was used as a Navy signalling station from 1803 to 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars.
The church clock, a prominent feature of St Peters village has the original clock dial.

The churchyard, part of the Turner-Dickens Walk is one of the longest in the country with the oldest recognisable tomb, that of William Norwood dating back to 1623.