The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players they support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Their vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy, and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. They believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

St Nicholas’ Church benefitted from a Heritage grant in 2020 and this enabled replacement of the north aisle roof, repair to rotten timbers, protection of nationally important wall paintings, and the creation of a new history of Arundel through the ages.

In 2026/ 27, replacement of the south aisle roof and repair of timbers is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Considerable effort will also be made to expand still further community outreach and enrichment by securing, celebrating, and sharing the heritage of St Nicholas’ Church.

Significant funds to support this work also came from the Friends of St Nicholas Church, Parish Fundraising, and generous donations.

Conservation Work at St Nicholas’ Church - 2026–27

Thanks to the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, conservation work at St Nicholas’ Church will continue in 2026–27, building on the success of an earlier Heritage grant awarded in 2020. That funding enabled the replacement of the north aisle roof, repairs to rotten timbers, the protection of nationally important wall paintings, and the creation of a new history of Arundel through the ages.

The latest grant makes possible further replacement of the south aisle roof and essential timber repairs, while also supporting expanded community outreach. Alongside generous donations, parish fundraising, and contributions from the Friends of St Nicholas’ Church, this funding will help secure, celebrate and share the church’s heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.

Protecting and Enriching the Flora and Ecology of the Church Grounds

The church estate boasts an incredibly rich ecology, having been left undisturbed for over 600 years. A total of 131 plant species has been identified and recorded.

In our 2026/ 2027 Heritage Project we will focus on creating pathways through the churchyard that highlight key areas, allowing visitors to experience peace and enrichment in a tranquil setting. We will also leave some areas of the churchyard unmown and collect seeds as they ripen. These will be shared with local people and groups, establishing new wild plant areas.

We will produce a visual digital catalogue of the 131 plants found in the churchyard. We will continue to monitor bat, moth, and other insect populations.

Bats at St Nicholas’ Church

Our church is home to four species of bats: the common pipistrelle, the rarer Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bats, and the scarce serotine.

The bats at St Nicholas use the church as day roosts, where they rest during the day. These are not maternity roosts. Bats are long-lived mammals, with lifespans of up to 30 years. They do not breed until they are 2-3 years old, and the bond between mother and offspring is strong. A single bat can consume up to 3000 insects per night.

In the 2026/ 27 Heritage project, we will increase the amount of space available under the main roof eaves, which we believe will be attractive to bats. We will provide external entry points and monitor future use by the bats. These additions will result in a higher overall bat population but a reduction in roosting within the body of the church.

Sharing St Nicholas' Heritage

In the 2020 project, in collaboration with the Town Council, Arundel Museum, and the Castle Archive, we developed an extensive range of resources designed for school children and families, focusing on the history of the church and town from the Anglo-Saxon period to the end of the Second World War.

In the 2027/ 27 project, more schools will be involved in this digitally enabled local studies initiative. Information will also be made available on the church website, providing access for parishioners, visitors, and researchers of all ages. The partnership with the Town Council, Museum, and Castle Archive will remain crucial, as their records form the foundation of all created materials.