NOW. The Rose Windows above the choir have now been fully restored and are back in place. If you cast your eyes upwards, you will see a big difference in them. The repairs to the surrounding stonework had already been completed and the repairs to the internal plasterwork are also now complete. Two, relatively small areas of dry rot were discovered, both of which have been eradicated and treated against further attack.

We now have to turn our attention to the rear of the main sanctuary, to the high level wall at the upper balcony where we suspect the next problem will be found. The wall is quite damp, especially on the lath and plaster section which is the external wall and it will be necessary to investigate this further. Unfortunately, investigation is, in itself, a destructive process and this will once again lead to some disruption and mess. So please bear with us as we attempt to eradicate the problem once and for all.

When the windows were removed for repair, it was suggested that they may not be original, but a little research has suggested that they are, in fact, part of the original structure. They are described by the restorers as “….. lovely examples of Arts and Crafts era and every effort should be taken to have them maintained.”  The ‘Arts and Crafts’ era, which was perceived to be a reaction against the increasing mechanisation of production, especially in the UK, spanned from 1880 – 1910. That would put the windows, at 1902, firmly in the correct time frame.