The Friends of St Leonard’s, Flamstead is a Charitable Trust dedicated to preserving, maintaining and improving the fabric of the ancient Grade I listed church that has stood at the heart of the village for nearly 900 years.
Friends are welcome from all religions or none, to share a respect for tradition, architecture, and contemporary village life.
The Friends raise funds in a number of ways:
- Annual Membership Subscription
- Fundraising Events
- Individual Donations and Bequests
The Friends were founded in 1995. Our aim is to raise funds to preserve the church building and its surroundings, not just for the benefit of church goers but for the community as a whole.
Working alongside FoSL is Flamstead Heritage Group, a task force with a specific fixed-term goal of raising the huge sums required for the one-off repair of the nave roof and related activities.
FoSL has a longer term remit but we have worked closely with the Heritage Group to save St Leonard’s from closure. Thanks to their efforts and the support of many generous supporters, the church has now been saved and 900 years of our tradition preserved.
Following the roof repair, other key works are necessary: in particular to conserve the best mediaeval wall paintings in a Hertfordshire parish church. In the long term, proactive regular maintenance, carried out in time, is the only way to prevent expensive future repairs and keep the church in good order for its use as a spiritual, community and heritage location. FoSL is working hard to secure the £40,000 that this will cost each year.
