The West End (the back of the church)
The stone pillars and the plasterwork have been in a very poor condition for some years and have deteriorated rapidly in the last five, with constant
flaking and loose plaster and stone falling on the floor. The damage is caused by age but also by damp rising from the floor. As the church is heated, the air dries and moisture is drawn up the wall.
First of all, a channel has been excavated around the base of the wall and pillars to allow water to be drained away from the base. Floor tiles were
lifted and re-positioned and a small grid cover installed. Then after two years of drying out stonemasons carved new stone blocks which were inserted into the pillars and the plaster was replaced. Plaster was also repaired in the porch. Outside, inappropriate cement repairs lime mortar and stone blocks were removed and repairs made to the two buttresses by the North Door.
The Churchyard wall
Following the collapse and repairs to sections on the Churchyard walls in 2014 and 2016, a 30 meter long section running alongside the road was identified as in need of urgent repairs. This work was completed in August 2022. Repairs to a second section of the wall were completed in October 2023.
Other work undertaken in 2021 included: –
• An upgrade to the lights which illuminate the Church at
night.
• Repairs to guttering and downpipes