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Last year the importance of “gutters, downpipes and drains”, in other words – basic maintenance of buildings was highlighted. The Trust applauds the initiative of SPAB and its Faith in Maintenance Training Days to which the Trust locally practically contributed. We understand that these have been well supported and hope that the message is actioned for the future. The need for very expensive restoration work in some cases could have been avoided if basic maintenance had been carried out. Sustaining such initiatives is vitally important.
The theme for this years CCC (now Church Building Council – CBC) Conference for DAC’s is The Perils of the Beauty of Homeliness with a session on the domestication of church buildings – in other words “carpets, kitchens and loos”. Why is the liturgy now being centred around the living room – in front of the television? Ecclesiastical demands may evolve so that full services, domestic as well as liturgical are an essential part of worship. However, in 100 years time what will the churchwardens (if they exist) be saying about our actions of today – as we are currently “reaping the benefits” of cementatious mortar and radiant gas heaters. Will it be on a par with The Stripping of the Altars by Eamon Duffy or Roy Strong’s crusade on The Perils of the Beauty of Holiness? We rank “gutters, downpipes and drains” before “carpets, kitchens and loos”.
The thirteen leased churches from the Norwich Diocese which we currently hold have been maintained with the assistance of volunteers, contractors and appointed architects. Restoration work has been completed at Bagthorpe, St Mary to windows and buttresses. Substantial cracks have appeared in the tower at Cockthorpe, All Saints. This has necessitated external strapping. A detailed investigation will be carried out as a matter of urgency. Hargham, All Saints has been re-roofed with assistance from English Heritage. This church is now in good order. Rackheath, All Saints has experienced some unwanted attention recently. |
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| Vandalism to windows has taken place but has now been restored with window guards and fenestration bars to be installed. The Trust is responsible for the maintenance of the buildings not the churchyards of our current leased churches. Corpusty, St Peter is about to be taken on from the Friends of Friendless Churches. |
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This will include part of the churchyard maintenance. Also being considered for a long term lease is the Lynford Roman Catholic chapel in Thetford Forest. This will raise the number of leased churches to thirteen and is unique among county church trusts. The number of churches within the county and diocese that we have helped through the year continues unabated. The following are only a selection of this work. Beeston St Lawrence ceiling and roof restoration is now complete and well worth a visit. Brandon Parva will shortly be undertaking the final phase of major restoration to the tower. Cranwich, which was cut off by the road improvements west of Munford is in the first phase of roof re-thatching. It is worth the detour.
Erpingham have been assisted with rainwater goods and drainage restoration and generally trying to reduce the damp conditions. Hopefully Foulsham will now be in a position to re-roof the chancel after a delay. Gissing has completed its re-roof and is worth “finding” to see what the work protects. Restoration of Griston chancel and nave roof are under way. Halvergate received £10,000 grant towards the nave and porch repairs which have now been completed. St John’s church in Harleston, a Grade II building has now been re-roofed and windows repaired. The re-thatching of the roof at Horsey is about to commence. They are experiencing a time of disruption but we are sure it will be worthwhile. |
