Work Underway on Tower Repair Project

Update on Tower Repair Work

The repair work on the Tower is now in full swing. Here are the key updates:

• The scaffolding has been erected.

• Old tiles, boarding, and shingles have been removed.

• New clay tiles and oak shakes (shingles) are being installed.

The work is progressing as planned, with the goal of completing all repairs by early October. This timeline allows for the scaffolding to be taken down before the bat hibernation period begins.

Additional Updates

In parallel to the repair work:

• The Tower has been largely emptied of tables, chairs, and other stored items.

• These items have been relocated to the church, where new shelving has been installed in the pre-vestry area.

We are currently obtaining quotes for new glass doors for the Tower. This will allow visitors to admire the magnificent timber structure of the Tower from inside the Church. Additionally, we are collaborating with local youth organisations and the school to ensure that the story of the Tower is appreciated by future generations.

New clay tiles

Oak shakes

Interior view of Tower

Work to Commence on Tower Repair Project!

Thanks to a supplemental grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and additional fundraising the work on the Grade I listed St Laurence Church wooden tower has been able to start! The initial phase involves erecting scaffolding up to the top of the spire, and then the existing shingles and cladding will be stripped off. Following an inspection of the timber structure below the shingling, and any neccessary repairs, then the replacement oak shakes and cladding will be installed. Subsequently the Lychgate will also be repaired in a similar vein. We will keep you posted with news and pictures - watch this space!

Scaffolding erected on the North and West side of Tower

Major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund!

We recently received the wonderful news that the National Lottery Heritage Fund had decided to award St Laurence Church the full amont requested to allow us to commnece the urgent and essential repair work on the Tower and Lychgate. The funding will also enable the project to deliver on local community ambitions, including providing information boards and educational aids for the local Blackmore Primary School; a nature trail and other artefacts that will support the local Scout Association; support for integrating local charities into our project and improvements to the interior and exterior of the church to make it more accessible. The grant, together with the locally raised funding of over £80,000 means that the project can now proceed. Further details are included in the attached presentation that was given recently by Richard Thwaite at the Friends of St Laurence AGM. As he reiterated "this grant is due in large part to the magnificent level of local fundraising that has been achieved by the Friends of St Laurence Church with some amazing contributions that have been made by local people and assocations including the Blackmore Village Fayre, the Brentwood and District Runners, many significant large individual donations and also the grants we received from the Benefact Trust and the Walter Farthing Trust"

Tower and Lychgate Update July 25 2024 AGM.pptx

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