THE Cornwall Historic Churches Trust’s Annual Meeting will be held at St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin on Wednesday, May 20 at 2pm.

The speaker will be Dr Joanna Mattingly on the subject of ‘Location, location – Putting Cornwall’s medieval saints back in their place’. Dr Mattingly’s book, Cornwall's Saints (Amberley Press, £15.99), examines the identities of those who gave their names to some of our best-loved, most recognisable sanctuaries, from churches and chapels to crosses and holy wells, and even sacred chairs and trees.

The event will be chaired by the charity’s vice-president The Rt Revd David Williams, Bishop of Truro. Tea will be served afterwards by St Petroc’s PCC for a minimum donation of £6 per person, payable on the day. Non-members are welcome for a minimum donation of £10 including tea.

Cornwall Historic Churches Trust (CHCT) celebrated its 70th anniversary last year. Eighty per cent of Cornish churches were built before 1550; CHCT offers funding to active churches, chapels and meeting houses of any denomination to help care for historic buildings and churchyards, including by making them water-tight and protecting features of artistic importance.

CHCT member churches can claim up to £10,000 to cover major repairs, with smaller grants available for small structural or emergency schemes. A CHCT grant can also enhance applications for further grant funding - for example, from the National Churches Trust or the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

St Petroc’s Church in Bodmin is Cornwall largest parish church after Truro Cathedral. It has received CHCT funding for projects including essential glazing and stonemasonry work.

“Churches are the lifeblood of our communities,” said CHCT chair Cecilia Bisson. “Even those who don’t worship attend events or simply appreciate the beauty of these historic buildings. To be able to continue our work, we need more people to support us.”

For more information, visit www.chct.info.