Saint Peter & Saint Paul’s Church Wangford CHURCH ROOF REPAIR NEWSLETTER ISSUE 3 WEEK ENDED 16th APRIL 2011 A weekly electronic newsletter produced by Steven Smith the Fabric Officer reporting on the church roof repair project. Distributed by email only to the following: Lady Penelope (Churchwarden), Maureen Beales (Churchwarden), Gilliane Smith (Secretary), Edna Utting (Joint-Treasurer), Sidi Scott, Robin Chater, Jean & Pierre Bichara, Jean Burns, Gill Rush, Richard Utting (Joint-Treasurer), Valerie Beckett, Derrick Vickers,Sue Taylor, Rich Henderson (Team Vicar), Tania Birtwistle (Sole Bay Team Administrator), Alan Greening (Architect), Gary Griffin (English Heritage). ______________________________________________________________________ After our APCM last Monday evening it all got going and all the scaffolding is now in place. The tin roof has been installed over the nave and lead north aisle. The first time it has been waterproof for many years. It was probably nearly three years since the Wangford Parish Council donated some money to re-decorating the north aisle. It was shortly after that we discovered the situation was getting worse and needed a more radical approach! Hence the application to our saviours English Heritage. Accessed via the Fabric Officer’s secret staircase this shows the view from the roof with the tin temporary roof installed over. The central valley gutter can be seen with part of the lead stripped off. Yes, work has commenced and the men have cracked on with removing the debris, tiles and lead. At least they can work with full protection from the elements. This is looking at the central parapet gutter, from the tower end. Part of the lead has been removed and the boards can be seen beneath. This is the valley that has been leaking and pouring water into the church by the font. It was subject to repair about thirty years ago, but unfortunately, according to our architect, not to a very good standard. Access is currently arranged to the buttresses, (tower supports) that will be repaired first. Once this and the parapet gutter are done access will be lowered to enable the lead roof seen here to be replaced. Spot the man about to dive off the scaffold! Access is provided here to the buttress to allow repair of the cracked sections. The stonemason will be on site on Monday (18th April) for a meeting with Alan and others and work will be underway on stonework repairs. The Church of St Peter and St Paul WANGFORD CONCERT in aid of the roof repair fund. Saturday 4th June 2011 at 7pm. VASKO VASSILEV Violin with the soloists of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Programme to include music by Vivaldi, Mozart, Sarasate and Piazzola. Tickets: £12:50 (to include interval refreshments of ADNAMS Fizz and canapés) available from Wangford Stores or Little Priory, Church Street. Further details 01502 578007 Looking down from a new angle on the builder’s outreach scaffold platform at the lead roof. It looks even worse from here. Remember this for when we compare it with the shiny new replacement in September. This is the top of the temporary tin roof which spans over the lead roof and parapet gutter. It rests on the ridge (centre part) of the main nave tiled roof. Impressive scaffolding erected with skill to provide a rigid dry canopy to keep the church dry whilst the roof is renewed. Tidy workmen I would say as would many others in the village who are impressed by the builder’s friendliness and attention to detail. They look happy. You can tell they’ve spotted the work going on! We have received the building contract from the architect which we are in the process of checking, signing and returning. We will then apply to English Heritage for the first draw down of the grant. I have written to Wangford Community Council asking them to pay their grant into our account. We will chase Suffolk Historic Churches Trust this week. We have had an invoice from PFB Construction Management Services Ltd, our CDM co-ordinators for half of their bill totalling £657.00. This will be paid this week. Alan reports that everything is proceeding smoothly and to schedule. However, I note that the completion date has been entered in the contract as 30th September 2011. It’s looking like a pre-Christmas party! Any feedback? Email Steven Smith at stevensmith40@msn.com All views expressed are those of the publisher and do not necessarily represent the views of the PCC or The Sole Bay Team Ministry. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. Any comments/feedback gratefully received. Released Saturday 16th April 2011 Week 3.