History of Sawley Important to Local Councillors
DCC Councillor Kewal Singh Athwal was informed of the King George 111 Sawley Coat of Arms Hatchment located at All Saints Church in Sawley and its need for restoration by EBC Cllr John Sewell. This Hatchment appears to date back to around 200 years and it would seem, it has great importance to the local area of Sawley.
Rev Tony Street of All Saints Church, The Sawley Historical Society along with Cllr's Athwal, Maginnis and Sewell have started the process of restoring the Hatchment to its former glory. Local schools from Sawley are also keen to involve this piece of work into their history teachings of the local area.
Lincoln University Conservation team has been consulted on the restoration works, with Sawley school children possibly benefiting from learning about the history of King George 111 period, along with learning the restoration process.
Cllr Athwal along with DCC Cllr's Alan Griffiths and Garry Hickton have collectively agreed to support this restoration work with a DCC Grant of £3000 from the Members Leadership Scheme.
Rev Tony Street of All Saints Church said;
"I am writing to acknowledge the receipt of a grant of £3000 towards the restoration of the George lll Coat of Arms which is in the care of All Saints' Church Sawley.
This generous grant will help towards the restoration of the painting that has been hidden from public view for almost two hundred years. Our plan is that when the detailed restoration has been completed by Lincoln Conservation, the Coat of Arms will once again be on public display inside All Saints' Church and will form a tangible link for our community with the tumultuous events of the reign of King George lll. We expect our local schools to make the Coat of Arms the focal point for the study of the Napoleonic Wars, the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the issue of mental health which is highlighted by the sufferings of the King himself.
Please extend our grateful thanks to all those involved in the making of this generous grant.
With my very best wishes"
Rev. Tony Street. Rector All Saints' with St. Mary's Sawley.
DCC Cllr's Athwal, Griffiths and Hickton said;
"We are delighted that we could jointly assist this project with a grant of £3000 which will assist to restore this King George 111 Sawley Coat of Arms for the enjoyment of all our local residents"