Grant awarded for Shakespeare's wedding venue

[dutchman]

An ancient church near Stratford-upon-Avon has been awarded nearly £50,000 to make an exhibition and events exploring where Shakespeare tied the knot.



It is accepted that William Shakespeare was married in his home town of Stratford-upon-Avon, but a least four churches claim they were the host of the writer's big day.

The historical evidence has always been uncertain but now with a grant from the heritage Lottery Fund, All Saints Church in Billesley will try to find the answers once and for all.

Historic experience

The award of £47,600 will fund research and allow visitors to experience what it was like to live and get married in 16th Century England.

Starting in early 2011, the project will explore the facts and fiction of the story through a heritage trail, guided walks and events.

The origins of the Grade 1 Listed church go back as far as the 11th century, when there was once a thriving village in Billesley.

It is among a clutch of surrounding churches including Temple Grafton, Luddington and Holy Trinity in Stratford that lay claim to being the place where Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway.

Special place

No parish registers survive from that time to prove the theory one way or the other. There is, however, stronger evidence to suggest that Shakespeare's granddaughter was married at Billesley.

Jo Cross, Regional Development Officer for The Churches Conservation Trust commented: "We are thrilled to have received this award from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"All Saints Church is a very special place and deserves to be more widely known. The grant will enable CCT to raise the profile of the church and build wider and longer term support. This will be a true celebration of local history - and one that just happens to have a most famous bard at its heart."