Rally to the Boar Appeal: restoring our royal heritage
We have launched an appeal to raise £64,000 to restore an historic part of St Mary’s heritage: a 15th century window that bears the boar insignia of King Richard III carved in stone.
As Lord of Barnard Castle from 1476 Richard funded and oversaw huge changes at St Mary’s. As part of his plan to create a Collegiate Church in the town his improvements included installing a new window in the south transept of the church. His patronage of the church was shown by the inclusion of his insignia in its stonework.
After 550 years the exterior stonework of the window is in poor repair, and the boar insignia is being worn away by the weather and may be lost.
What needs doing?
For work to take place the Victorian (1852) stained glass will need to be carefully removed, cleaned, re-leaded, fractured glass repaired and then returned and protected by new grills.
Skilled stonemasons will remove and replace worn stones from the window.
Richard’s boar will be brought into the church for protection and display. A replacement boar will be sculpted to take its place outside.
Whilst the stonemasons are on site, we are seeking grant support to enable us to repoint the masonry of the south transept and the south side of the chancel. Many stones are severely worn and will need to be replaced. This larger project needs a further £100,000+. Should we exceed our target for ‘Richard’s window’, monies will be directed to this further work on the church.
What will be achieved?
- The window will be restored for future generations to enjoy.
- The boar will be protected against further weathering.
- Richard III’s connections to St Mary’s will be highlighted as St Mary’s plays its part in welcoming visitors and tourists to the town.
- Crucial masonry work will be undertaken.
Giving to the Appeal
You can donate online to the Rally to the Boar Appeal.
If you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim 25% extra back from HMR&C at no extra cost to you!
