Project News April 2003

The main works carried out include:

• Plywood Protection to columns, staircases, memorials and south entrance
• Taking up of existing floor in nave and aisles; repair work undertaken and level survey of this area ready for heating and electrical services which will go under the new Purbeck stone floor
• Lifting of paving slabs to Sanctuary in preparation for return to original (lower) Sanctuary floor level
• Formation of a series of permanent bases under nave floor and Sanctuary for internal scaffolding for this phase of work and for use in the future
• Removal of 1970’s maisonettes at east end of church
• Removal of brick infilling of window and door openings between aisle galleries and east staircases put in by Ewan Christian in 1866. This complements the unblocking of the staircase enclosures at the west end of the church carried out in earlier phases of the restoration.
• Opening up of three remaining crypt vaults at east end. Careful removal of burials
• Crypt: clearance of temporary partitions and fittings in preparation for staircases at east end from church to crypt
• Removal of existing joinery previously stored in crypt to Wallis workshop for detailed survey
• Preparation of boiler room under west portico step