Progress report – 3rd November 2022
This should be the last report showing things that are about to be hidden on a large scale, so for the record, here is the whole church with its underfloor services.
In the next week or so, we are expecting delivery of the limecrete for the screed. It is very important to the long-term conservation of the church to use limecrete for the screed and not concrete with which readers will be more familiar.
There is no damp proof course in the church. The previous concrete screed below the tiles forced any damp up the walls and particularly up the pillars. With a limecrete screed moisture can permeate anywhere and the conservation architects are hoping that the pillars stop acting as wicks, up which so much water can be drawn. It is unlikely to completely solve our problem of pillar paintwork, but hopefully will reduce it.
The whole environment of the church in terms of comfort – both heating and humidity – will be very different from what we are used to and we will have a running in year before we really know how the building reacts.
The screed will be laid right across the floor, including the tower. While it sets that will make access to the any part of the church including the tower difficult, so please expect two or more Sundays with no bell ringing.
Thank you to all of you who are continuing to give to the appeal. In September we raised £8,169and then in October £4,014. To reach our £120,000 target before the work is finished, we need more than £10,000 a month. Please continue to pray about what you might give yourself and that all may give generously. The web site has all the details. Think how you can be creative and get sponsored or donate to buy a chair in memory of someone or donate to our organ or main appeals.
Although the building itself is closed, worship continues in The Cornerstone on Sundays (8, 9.30 and 11.15am) and on weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am and Thursday at 9 am) and the bell ringers will have access to the tower again. There is still access to almost all the churchyard either through the lychgate in London Road or the double gate in Norreys Avenue. The memorials by The Cornerstone and by the vestry door can be accessed by arrangement with the Parish office.
