In the thirty years to 2022 the Friends have raised over £400,000 in fundraising and grants. Some of the early work in the 1990s was literally to keep the church standing: structural repairs to the roof beams in the nave, repairs to the South and East buttresses, leadwork on the roof, and internal repairs to the tower.
Since then, projects have included:
- The floodlighting of the church in 2000
- Refurbishment of the Church Bells in 2004
- Installing a kitchen and toilet in 2006
- Creation of the Bellringing platform in 2007
- Repairs to the Clerestory windows in 2008
- In the 2010s it was replacement of eroded blocks on the South Wall and in 2013 renovation of the plaster and stonework in the Lady Chapel.
- Repairs to the Churchyard wall in 2014 and 2016
- Security installed to protect the roof from theft – 2015 and 2017
Download an illustrated report of the Friends’ projects over the last 25 years here:
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.
We plan to complete the final section of the wall in summer 2025. The Crown PH have generously adopted us as their charity of the year for 2024, with funds raised going toward this project.
The final section was completed in June 2025, with huge support from Philip and Vicki at The Crown, who raised £4,380. Thanks also to Shillington Parish Council, who gave a grant of £500, Shillington Social Club who donated £500 and Wayne Kenny of Rock IT Solutions who donated £385.
Our major project for 2024 was the replacement of the stonework around the north door. As you will see from the photos below, this has been suffering from severe weathering and erosion.
New stonework was carved in preparation to remove and replace the damaged areas.
Work was completed in the first week of August (2024). See the gallery of photos below showing the progress and completed work.
Click here for more information on the construction of the Church and the implications for its maintenance.