Church Roof Repair Project progress report #16

The removal of the scaffolding started on Saturday 7 May and was finished by Thursday.

Celebrating on 12 May that all the scaffolding (which has been in place since January) has now been removed from the church.

The new nave parapet capping stones, the restored clock-face and the rainwater ware are now fully visible after the scaffolding has been dismantled.

Charlie and Matt from Weldon Stone re-pointed, as necessary, the joints of the north aisle parapet, the south aisle gable copings and then set about re-pointing the motley pattern of stones comprising the south aisle wall until Friday.

The south aisle wall area of the church where the pointing was eroded by rain water damage and masonry bees.

Finally, the original specification allowed for clearing of the iron rain-water gutters but the breaks, gaps and wet south aisle walls indicated that more was needed. In fact the amount of damaged ironware was a surprise and several new sections, hoppers and downpipes were needed. The extra work was undertaken by Brad and his men who finished on 26 May.

One of several damaged rain-water downpipes from the porch.

The western part of the south aisle and porch rain-water gutters, hoppers and down pipes being restored.

The work is effectively finished with the final formal inspection by the architect with the main contractor and PCC on 8 June.

This has been a major project, with much highly skilled work, which will protect the village’s church for many decades to come.

Everyone is welcome to come along at 11am to the Family Service on Sunday 12 June which will be the occasion for thanksgiving for and dedication of the new church roof. Representatives of the donors of the funds and those involved with the work have been invited to come along to our celebration.

Tours to the top of tower to see the roofs will be available to book with Geoff Pullin (gcsspullin @ yahoo.com) from now and through the summer.

GHP

< Report #15

The logos of our recent major and unexpected grant maker: Department of Culture; Historic England and National Churches Trust.

With thanks for the grants made by these charitable funds in our earlier fund-raising stages which gave us the enthusiasm to keep going!

< Report #15