Project News February 2004

• The painting of the ceiling, decoration and plaster repairs at the high level which are almost complete. Repairs to the stained glass east window have been made.
• The scaffolding (7 storeys high) which has filled the church for the last few months is currently being dismantled.
• New roof trusses were installed in the autumn last year to strengthen the roof. This has been followed by insulation and flooring in the roof void.
• The framework for the gallery fronts has recently been completed. The fixing of the oak panelled gallery fronts has started. Meanwhile, the plaster work to the aisle ceilings beneath the galleries continues.
• Offsite, the oak brackets for the galleries are being carved by Gonzalez & Harms near Chard. The eleven new brackets are nearly finished and they are now starting the repairs to the twenty-seven surviving brackets.
• In Maidstone, Wallis Joinery is producing large quantities of doors and panelling which is piling up ready for delivery to site.
• The underfloor conduit at the nave level has been completed, the floor screeded and the underfloor heating pipework installed. This is ready for the Purbeck stone floor, soon to be laid. The Friends have launched an appeal for the paving slabs. Contributors will be recorded in a special book commemorating the restoration. For further details contact the Friends’ office and ask for a floor appeal brochure.
• At the east end where the maisonettes have been dismantled, the original staircases between the church and the gallery level and new staircases into the crypt are being re-built. The floor at gallery level has been installed and stone works are progressing.
• There are some stone repairs being made at the entrances to the east end of the church.
• Also at the east end, paving slabs are being laid for the disabled ramp.
• At the west end below the portico roof, the outside walls are being repaired and cleaned.