Historic Churches 2020

BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 27 TH ANNUAL EDITION 29 new slates had to be introduced than had been allowed for in the budget. Rainwater goods at St Philip’s were labyrinthine, with swan-necks galore. These, coupled with years without maintenance, resulted in a lot of damage. Rationalising the rainwater goods made the disposal system work more efficiently and effectively. The joints of the rubble-slate walls had at one time been buttered over with a thick cementitious mortar. This was causing localised decay of the stonework and significant internal damp. While the scaffold was in place, it was prudent to rake out the cement and repoint in lime mortar. St Philip’s is now watertight but more work is needed. A drainage survey is required and repairs and improvements to the system need to be planned. The cracking needs to be monitored and the ancient electrical installation needs to be overhauled. Then there are the repairs that are required to the lath and plaster ceilings, the interior wall surfaces and the glazing, as well as the extensive redecorating. And a considerable amount must be raised to fund this work. This is just the beginning… RACHEL MORLEY is the director of the Friends of Friendless Churches charity, a trustee of SPAB and co-founder of SPAB Ireland. Before joining FoFC in 2018, she worked as a National PR Officer for the Churches Conservation Trust Reslating the nave and loggia – ferrous inclusions on the original slates prevented many of them from being reused in the foreground Original slates on the roof of the lychgate THE FRIENDS OF FRIENDLESS CHURCHES FoFC is a tiny charity which was set up in 1957 to save disused but beautiful places of worship of architectural and historical interest from demolition, decay and unsympathetic conversion. There are now 54 churches in its care: 28 in Wales and 26 in England, and the charity has helped countless more. We believe that ‘an ancient and beautiful church fulfils its primary function merely by existing’. The charity was founded by Ivor Bulmer-Thomas from Cwmbran after a very public row with the Archbishop of Canterbury. Ivor pointed out that the process for closing a church focussed only on the pastoral side of things, and never acknowledged that a church may be of architectural, artistic, historic or cultural importance. Eleven years of lobbying ensued before formal church- and state-funded protection measures were put in place in England, and in Wales it was not until 1993 that a letter confirming the development of a formal protective structure finally arrived, just days before Ivor’s sudden death. Today the FoFC employs just one and a half members of staff, and it couldn’t be leaner. The organisation does not receive any public funding in England despite being asked to take on more buildings each year. In Wales, however, it works in partnership with the Church in Wales and Cadw, and receives £120,000 annually to maintain and repair its existing estate here, and to take on one or two new churches each year. As you might imagine, there’s not a long of change left over from this, so FoFC boosts its grant through a membership scheme, as well as through donations, legacies, investment income and occasional grants from trusts and foundations. We consider our supporters three-fold: members and donors support us financially through subscriptions and donations; volunteers through their time, dedication and affection; and social media followers through increasing our voice and reach. So, if you are able to become a supporter – of any kind – FoFC would be delighted to hear from you – see friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk .

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