On Monday, 31 January 2022 Oscar from H A B Leadworks Ltd and Brad from Sand Cast Lead Conservation Ltd arrived to start work on the chancel roof. They started stripping the tiles and investigating the state of the roof boarding. A couple of small wasp nests were discovered under the chancel tiles. A product label for Beroid Homeguard Reinforced Slaters Felt was also found, left as a memento in 1975.
On Tuesday a larger gang completed stripping the chancel and hoisting down the slates and redundant battens, leaving the felt in place as protection from rain. They then started on the SE corner of the nave roof, which was where the rotten gutter timbers are located.
On Wednesday morning, architect William Assheton was able to inspect and deemed it necessary to strengthen the chancel boarding to enable it to safely withstand up-draught forces when covered with the stainless steel sheeting. In his presence, a section of the nave roof tongued and grooved boarding was cut out to check its thickness. Happily it was found to have thicker boarding, which is of adequate strength.
There was no more work due until Monday, but the unexpected stormy rain and snow on Friday morning, led to a swift visit to restore the temporary covering!
GHP