The Tower Repair Project
In 2017 the Tower Repair Project was conceived to address the ongoing structural issues of the church's tower. With the help of our former Reverend, Patty Bailey, the project was created and funding applied for from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
By April 2018 the project had been granted the initial development funds and work began fundraising and preparing our grant application for the remaining costs of the repairs.
In order to qualify for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we had to raise a percentage of the £256,000 that was needed for the repairs, so fundraising and additional grant sourcing begun in earnest.
Many successful fundraising activities and heritage events happened resulting in the contribution percentage being reached in 2019.
The timeline below shows the continuing progress of the project.
By April 2018 the project had been granted the initial development funds and work began fundraising and preparing our grant application for the remaining costs of the repairs.
In order to qualify for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we had to raise a percentage of the £256,000 that was needed for the repairs, so fundraising and additional grant sourcing begun in earnest.
Many successful fundraising activities and heritage events happened resulting in the contribution percentage being reached in 2019.
The timeline below shows the continuing progress of the project.
June 2019: Heather Church wins National Lottery support
January 2020: Repair contract with Four Oaks formally signed.
Once the contract had been formally signed, work continued behind the scenes to prepare the church for the work to start.
Early March 2020: Arrival of the scaffolding
Late March 2020: Tower repair works starts
The old roof being removed.
Mid April 2020: Tower repair work progress
These images show the internal walls at the top of the tower now they have been beautifully rebuilt and re-pointed. They were in very poor condition, with lots of holes, cracks and missing stones – so this is a real transformation. They are now ready to fit the new roof structure.
Late April 2020: Tower repair work progress
The new roof structure is now in place, and also the bags of special lime mortar have been procured, even though most of the suppliers are shut because of the Coronavirus.
Mid May 2020: Tower repair work progress
The new timber roof is now complete, ready for the covering. Also most of the masonry around the roof has also been repaired. Soon the battlement stones will be going back on.
Late May 2020: Tower repair progress report
Tower Roof:
New roof timbers in place and almost ready for the covering
Re-pointing:
The external re-pointing is now underway
Stonework:
The stonework reinstatement to three sides of the Tower are at covering height. New Stone is holding up completion.
Building Control:
All work on site has been assessed by Building Control and passed to date
Materials;
Due to the Governments continued closure of most of the Builders Merchants, we still are experiencing great difficulty in procuring
correct building materials for the works. NHL 5 Lime has now been procured.
Our best endeavours will be to try and obtain further materials and speed up the continuation of the works and try to improve the programme on a weekly basis.
Stone Quarry:
The Stone quarry still remains closed until further notice with just a skeleton staff. We are continuing to look elsewhere at other Quarries
The Church Clock:
Due to be worked on in June
Programme:
We are still ahead of schedule again, just slightly ahead. Which is good considering the two-meter rule that is still in force by the Government
New roof timbers in place and almost ready for the covering
Re-pointing:
The external re-pointing is now underway
Stonework:
The stonework reinstatement to three sides of the Tower are at covering height. New Stone is holding up completion.
Building Control:
All work on site has been assessed by Building Control and passed to date
Materials;
Due to the Governments continued closure of most of the Builders Merchants, we still are experiencing great difficulty in procuring
correct building materials for the works. NHL 5 Lime has now been procured.
Our best endeavours will be to try and obtain further materials and speed up the continuation of the works and try to improve the programme on a weekly basis.
Stone Quarry:
The Stone quarry still remains closed until further notice with just a skeleton staff. We are continuing to look elsewhere at other Quarries
The Church Clock:
Due to be worked on in June
Programme:
We are still ahead of schedule again, just slightly ahead. Which is good considering the two-meter rule that is still in force by the Government
Mid June 2020: Tower repair progress report
Work continues on the roof, meanwhile the clock has been removed and will be sent for a service and repairs to the metalwork. Removing the clock highlighted essential repairs required to the stonework. Four Oaks original stone supplier is still unable to provide stone as their bankers (specialist quarry masons) remain on furlough. The good news is Four Oaks have located an alternative quarry, with skilled staff who have returned to work, and the first "bankered" stones will be arriving next week.
Late June 2020: Tower repair progress report
Great to see the new stone carving underway, working the Hood Mould around the Clock Face
August 2020: Tower repair progress report
Great to see the new clock face in its finished state. Also two window traceries in church with mullions and the first of these being installed.
Early Sept. 2020: Tower repair progress report
North Tracery completed.
Late Sept. 2020: Tower repair progress report
As you will see all the louvers are in place. The internal scaffold in the Bell Tower will be removed soon
The lightning conductor has been run around the roof and will be completed up the pinnacles.
The lightning conductor has been run around the roof and will be completed up the pinnacles.
Early Oct. 2020: Tower repair progress report
Check out these videos showing Four Oaks demonstrating beautiful stone masonry skills working on the new west tracery.
Late Oct. 2020: Tower repair progress report
With the project now close to completion, the scaffolding can be taken down from the top of the tower.
Early Nov. 2020: Project Completion
The final minor jobs are complete, the scaffolding is down and the area around the church has been cleared. The project is now complete. A massive thank you to Four Oaks for a fantastic job.