Church Restoration and Digital Outreach

Repair Work Update

Heritage Stimulus Fund

Grants for Programmes of Major Works

(Cultural Recovery Fund)

Phase 1 Grant

We let you know in October 2020 that our application for a grant, supported by the Diocese and limited to Grade I and Grade II* listed buildings, was successful. Works covered by the grant we have received began on Monday 25^th January with the erection of scaffolding in the Baptistry and around St Dominic’s Altar on the north side of the Sanctuary.

Access to both areas will be restricted whilst works are being carried out. Works, which should be completed by 31^st March 2021, include:

· Provision of rainwater disposal from tower belfry and spire to prevent water ingress into Baptistry;

· conservation and repairs to internal widow and ceiling stonework in the Baptistry and repair and renewal of plasterwork damaged by previous water ingress;

· conservation and repairs to ceiling, plasterwork and stonework around St Dominic’s Altar;

· repair, renewal and redecoration of internal walls within the Baptistry and St Dominic’s Altar.

We have been advised that additional funding may be available from Historic England’s Cultural Recovery Fund where any grants awarded must be spent by the end of June 2021. If that funding materialises we will make another grant application and hope that we will then be able to carry out the work previously identified for the Nun’s Choir, Library and St Thomas’ meeting room.

Canon Michael Lock

Parish Priest

24^th January 2021

Update 26th February 2021

Work is progressing well on the Sanctuary and in the Baptistry. Canon Michael and Felicity were recently invited by the building company we have employed to select a paint from the specialist ‘Earthborn Claypaints’ range, designed for historic buildings. The technologically advanced approach utilised to create this range of paints ensures they are sensitive to the fabric of historic buildings, to the health of their occupants and to the environment. The properties of the paints are formulated to maintain the breathability of the church, which was built in an age when modern specifications such as cavity walls and damp coursing were not standard practice. You may have noticed, had you ever glanced up at the walls at the left side of the Sanctuary, that the plaster was flaking and discoloured in places; this was also the case in the Baptistry, and was due to historic water leaks. The solid masonry walls erected in the church consist of a natural material that allows moisture to permeate throughout them and evaporate; thus, the application of sympathetic paint is vital to the ongoing appearance and structure of the walls. The restoration of the plasterwork in the Baptistry and on the Sanctuary will be preserved and enhanced by the clay-based paints to prevent further moisture damage, to reduce the need for remedial work in the future, and to allow the walls to breathe again. Following careful consideration of the shades available, two samples of paint were procured and tested in small patches on the walls, to be observed in different light conditions. Canon Michael and Felicity eventually settled upon the shade named ‘Piglet’, which lends a creamy freshness to the new plasterwork, bringing an air of brightness to the building.

Update 19th March 2021

The repair and redecoration of the Baptistry and around St Dominic’s altar at the side of the Sanctuary has now completed, and Heritage Glass has also replaced the window bars. The scaffolding will be removed soon, followed by the wooden shuttering and the floor coverings. The next stage of the project will commence shortly, comprising the plaster work repairs and the redecoration of the Triforium, gallery and passageway.

Full details of the Cathedrals and Churches awarded grant funding can be found at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/grant-funding-for-repairs-to-catholic-churches-cathedrals/. Information about Historic England and the additional funding stimulus can be found at https://historicengland.org.uk/coronavirus/funding/recovery/.

Update 1st April 2021

All the repair and redecoration works scheduled in the first phase have now been completed, and the church is looking beautiful in time for the celebration of Eastertide.

The next stage of the project will commence shortly, comprising the plaster work repairs and the redecoration of the Triforium, gallery and passageway.

Update 16th April

The plaster work repairs of the Triforium, the gallery and the passageway are complete, and the redecoration of these areas has now begun.

Update 30th April

The redecoration is now underway and is progressing well.

Update 7th May

All works are now completed and have been signed off. The areas of decoration are looking lovely.

Full details of the Cathedrals and Churches awarded grant funding can be found at https://www.cbcew.org.uk/grant-funding-for-repairs-to-catholic-churches-cathedrals/. And, information about Historic England and the additional funding stimulus can be found at https://historicengland.org.uk/coronavirus/funding/recovery/.