St Swithun’s Open Meeting
30th June 2014
What is the state of the church?
(Hint, look around you)
• The architect’s report identified some urgent issues –
which we are fixing
• Also many significant structural repairs are needed
• It is critical that we prevent water coming in and stop
the damp, this is especially bad in the tower
• Since the inspection in August 2013 further damage
has occurred, both inside and out
• Now we want to be bold, “stop the rot” and secure
the building for future generations
Architect’s report summary
Quinquennial works required
1. Emergency repair
2. Churchyard wall
Cost £
562

7,200

Re-build the boundary wall near the war memorial (A)
3. Maintenance to roofs and gutters
2,820
Repairs to roof lead-work and flashings, pointing (A)
Minor repairs to gutters (B)
Additional lightning conductor (B)
4. Tower
43,200
Exploratory work to south face to find cause of damp (A)
Repairs to wall south face to prevent water penetrating (A)
Additional repairs to west and north faces , including south west and northwest buttresses (B)
Tower arch (internal) – plaster repairs and conservation (A)
5. External walls, windows, rainwater disposal
98,000
Conservation work to blocked north doorway (A)
Repair/replacement of windows on north side of aisle, (£53,000) (B)
Repair of windows on south side of aisle (£10,000) (B)
Porch repairs (£12,000) (B and C)
6. Internal repairs – includes cost of birdcage scaffolding
54,600
Chancel ceiling repairs and re-decoration (£20,000) (A)
Nave plasterwork and re-decoration (£15,000)
South aisle, repair plaster and re-decorate (£6,000) B/C
North aisle re-decorate (£6,000) C
Total
A: repairs required within 2 years, B: within 5 years, C: after 5 years
206,382
Examples of repairs needed
Examples of repairs needed
New damage since August ‘13 (inspection date)
Unless we act now, the damage and cost will only increase
Also work is needed to allow the bells to
continue to be rung enjoyably
• The bells were restored for the millennium and have
been rung regularly since 2000
– They mark church services and many national events
• However they are not easy to ring, so further work is
needed, including retuning
• It is estimated that this may cost ~£40,000, of which
£22,000 has already been raised
• It makes sense to work together to ensure the tower
is in a fit state to support continued ringing
Anything else?
• The architect’s estimates are based on his experience
• Following detailed evaluations and estimates from
builders the numbers could go up (or down)
– We do need builders with the right expertise
– Many of our current problems come from past use of
inappropriate materials and methods
• We would also like to add basic amenities – such as
water, a toilet and a sink to make it more useful to
the community
• This is not included in the architect’s estimates
Funding for our church - where does the money
come from?
There is no direct government support for the Church of England
The Church of England had to pay ~£900 million (in 2005) for
• Running costs, buildings (churches, vicarages, church halls),
worship, clergy salaries, pensions, training etc.
•
•
•
•
Two thirds of this came from individuals, donations, fundraising
and grants
Only one third came from historic endowments, investments,
property and local diocese investments
All individual parishes have to meet their own costs – for a small
parish this is a BIG challenge
Also, there is no direct CoE support for church buildings
Where does the money go to?
• St Swithun’s budget (excluding repairs) is £16,000 per annum
• For heat, light, insurance, contributions to clergy costs etc
• We have 18 people on our Electoral Roll (regular churchgoers)
• Over the last 5 years we have raised £8,000 from fundraising
events
– Open Gardens, Christmas cards, Barn Dance, Harvest Supper etc.
• But we have spent £40,000 on repairs (includes grants)
–
–
–
–
Major repairs to the churchyard wall
Emergency work to the west face of the tower
Repair of the clock (funded by the Parish Council)
Glazing repairs to the clerestory windows (high up) on the north wall
Previous works: window repair
Holes and cracks were
causing water to leak in
Original quotation (for extensive repairs to several windows) was
£10,000s. We managed to find expert glaziers and paid <£1,000
How can we find the money to support the
necessary repair and restoration?
• Grants, there are many different types
– Most are small or for specific purposes, glass, organs, bells etc.
• English Heritage no longer supports church repair
• Heritage Lottery Fund give Grants for Listed Places of Worship
– up to £250,000
• Includes on-going maintenance of the place of worship
• Also toilets or kitchens, improvements to heating or electrical
systems, or other works supporting wider community use
• But it is very competitive – no guarantee our application
would be successful
Our plans fit with the Heritage Lottery Fund
requirements
Priority for Grants for Places of Worship programme is to:
• Support structural repairs urgently required within the
next two years
– That have been clearly identified and defined in a survey such as
a Quinquennial Inspection
HLF conditions of funding:
• Project is defined at the outset
• Not yet started
• Will take no more than three years to complete
• Will contribute towards achieving heritage and
community outcomes
Heritage Lottery Fund - requirements
Project funded by Grants for Places of Worship need to
achieve:
• Outcome for heritage:
– With the investment, heritage will be in better condition
• Outcome for communities:
– With the investment, more people and a wider range of
people will have engaged with heritage
• We also need to meet part of the costs ourselves
– 5% of the costs of the development phase
– and 5% of the costs of the delivery phase
How can the church building serve the community,
how can the community use the building?
• Ideas for using the building:
–
–
–
–
–
Library – already started
Information point
Meeting space
Rehearsal space
Monthly coffee morning
• But we lack basic facilities (water, toilet) so adding
these will make it more usable
• What would you like to use it for?
Together we can maintain this historic and
beautiful church as a living community asset
• We are a small community with a very challenging target
• We have set ourselves a target of £50,000
• So we want your ideas and enthusiasm to help us secure
our heritage for future generations
How can you help?
• Money (or course!)
• Join an appeals committee
• Involve others and organisations that might contribute
money
• Help with approaches to potential funding bodies
• Organise enjoyable fund raising events…..