New team members to enhance Newark Parish Church’s visitor experience as part of National Lottery Heritage Fund project The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene

Two new staff members have been appointed as part of the parish church’s reawakening project, and will enhance the landmark’s visitor experience.

Newark Parish Church is in the middle of its National Lottery Heritage Fund supported ‘The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene’ project, which aims to breathe new life into the building and also has a focus on engaging and supporting the community around it.

The nationally significant building, a grade one listed church dating back to the 12th century, is currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register.

A grant of £2,565,628, along with an emergency grant of £249,498 from National Lottery players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, support from Historic England, the Church of England, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will enable vital repairs to be made to the church, to remove it from the Heritage at Risk Register and save it for future generations.

The new visitor experience aims to open the church up to thousands of visitors of all ages, highlighting the history and architecture of the landmark building. Roofing repairs will incorporate solar panels, while accessibility and functionality will be a key focus of internal repairs and changes.

Anna Herbert has been appointed to the role of heritage interpretation and visitor experience manager, and will design and manage how the church’s history and heritage is presented to visitors.

The role will focus on opening up the church to the community with a range of activities and events, to include education visits, family activity days and tours and talks.

Anna brings with her a wealth of heritage management, having previously managed Gladstone’s Land and Newhailes House and Estate for the National Trust for Scotland.

Chrissie Van Mierlo will begin her role as work experience and volunteer coordinator in September and will work closely with local and national organisations as well as educational institutions to provide meaningful work experience and volunteer opportunities in a range of areas from traditional skills, to tour guiding.

Chrissie’s previous roles as volunteer coordinator at Erewash museum, and more recently as museum director at Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust will bring significant experience to the project.

Project lead for ‘The Reawakening of St Mary Magdalene: Supporting Newark’s Communities’, Andrew Fearn, said: “It is fantastic to welcome Anna and Chrissie on board for the Reawakening St Mary Magdalene project.

“Their combined experience and enthusiasm will help to breathe new life into the church, and improve how visitors, old and new, experience the church’s history.”