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All the work on the provision of two new stone finial crosses and the
extensive repairs to the boilerhouse have been completed. The mason has
faithfully reproduced the original intricate carving of the original stonework
in his new work. Much care and skill was employed by the Contractor, Mr Bob
Peppiatt, in safely relocating the extremely heavy new stone crosses to their
lofty resting place. We believe that the completed work will give us the
inspiration to raise further funds towards the cost of new rainwater gutters
and downpipes.
Regrettably, we have just been advised by English Heritage that they will be
unable to offer any financial help this year towards the cost of this next
project. They acknowledge that the need for new gutters and downpipes is urgent
but advise that their budget is not large enough to meet all the applications
which they have received. We are advised to re-apply next year. In the
meantime, I believe it is our duty, as custodians of the fabric of St John's,
to launch a fresh appeal for funding towards this project. As I advised last
month, we must expect to be required by English Heritage to provide at least
£15,000 towards the overall cost of the work which, at today's costings, will
be at least £45,000.
Bev Stringer
The two stone finial crosses and the boiler house/ vestry chimney capping have
now been removed and taken to Hollington Quarry to allow the masons there to
carve new replacement crosses and a chimney capping for delivery back to Keele.
This work could take several months before the stonework is back in place.
Our application is now lodged with English Heritage seeking a grant of some
£30,000.00 towards the £45,000.00 plus cost of the work. Our task is now to
raise the £15,000.00 balance as our share of the cost of the work if our grant
application is successful. If English Heritage are unable to help us, then we
need to plan for a staged implementation of the work, which is recognised by
the PCC as representing our next major task in conserving the fabric of our
very beautiful church.
Formal instructions have now been given to the church architects to proceed
with the repair work to the vestry and boiler house chimneys and also to the
East Nave stone finial cross. This work, costing some £17,000, will involve a
period without the use of the church beating system (Yes, we are praying for a
warm summer!).
In the meantime, an application has been made to English Heritage for financial
assistance towards the cost of new cast iron gutters and rainwater pipes, a job
likely to cost in the region of £50,000. Again this work will have to be
undertaken to a very strict specification due to St John's being a Grade II*
listed building.
We still await a date from the contractors for the VERY long awaited renewal of the gutters and downpipes (I long not to have to type those two words again!) but of course the frosty weather has slowed down their work schedule.
We are more optimistic about the new handrails, which have been ordered and will be fixed as soon as they arrive. We are very grateful to the County Council for the receipt of a grant of £1,920 which will cover most of the cost (£2.131.00). The money comes from the Staffordshire Local Community Fund (SLCF) with the support of our County Councillor. We have agreed to display a small logo in recognition of this.
Two pieces of good News
Firstly, the three sets of new handrails are now in place. They are at the south door, the west door, and the three steps to the Lychgate. They are very similar in style to the original single rail leading to each door and are comfortable to handle. As we stated in last month's magazine, we are very appreciative of the generous grant from the Staffordshire Local Community Fund, awarded with the support of our County Councillor, Simon Tagg, which has covered most of the cost. The remaining £211 has been generously donated anonymously.
Secondly, your Wardens, on 13th April, attended a meeting in church with the contractor and architect for the work on the renewal of gutters and downpipes. Formal signing of the contract has taken place and the job is scheduled to begin on Tuesday 4th May. The completion date will be 13th July. Work will not be continuous although a site compound will be in situ on the car park for the whole of that period.
We welcome this crucial piece of restoration of St. John's.
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What needs doing and what we've managed to do so far.
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'Up on the Roof' - Slide show