Church Refurbishment

The re-roofing works included the complete main roof to the Church and included replacing all the lead work, relining and renewing all gutters and valleys and replacing the rainwater downpipes. The re-roofing included an insulated felt which will reduce heat loss from the building.

In addition we had enough funds to re-roof approx 50% of the Presbytery viz. the elevations overlooking the gardens to the South and West as well as repairs to the remaining roof areas.

We also replaced the heating system to the Presbytery.

The works were completed within the budget we had set and which had been agreed with the Diocese earlier.

They were formally completed and handed over to the Parish on 16th December 2016.

I would like to say a very big thank you to the large number of people who have made this project happen. The very significant number of fund raising events together with the arrangements that were made to sell the old barn on Bonds Lane enabled the original scope of work to be extended from that originally proposed.

I will also acknowledge here the grant that we received from the Listed Places of Worship, Roof Repair Fund towards this scheme and which enabled it to commence much earlier that it would have done otherwise.

The Future

Following the handover meeting on 16th December as representatives from both the Diocese and Architects were present we took the opportunity to discuss other areas of works to both the Church and Parish generally.

Most of these have been around for some time and have different degrees of urgency. It was agreed that now the main priority of the re-roofing works was complete that the Architects would assess the areas of works listed below. They will provide a plan, with budget costs where possible, for discussion on how these potential areas of work can be addressed and moved forward in the future.

The areas to be assessed include:-

-The Community Centre’s condition

-Repairs and improvements to the Church windows

-Repairs to Church stonework. Previously included in last Quinquennial survey

-Inspect / assess structure of main tower

-Redecoration and plaster repairs to Church interior

-Assess and advise on the drainage problems to the Cemetery

-Any other areas of concern to the whole site.   

Whilst your support for what has been achieved so far has been exceptional I hope you will be equally supportive of this process as we consider our future.