Old St Mary’s –

The Diocesan Architect has visited Old St. Mary’s to look at the areas where there is an ingress of water. Much of the work can be done by Fas or by volunteers . Over the coming months the trapdoor in the porch ceiling will be open to allow air to circulate in the roof space so that it can dry out. There will be some “mess” as we rectify the problems causing the damp and ingress of water.
The architect has had the carpet in the porch removed as it was causing the grave slabs to sweat. These slabs are designed to be walked on and for the inscriptions to fade with time, but we will be erecting a rope barrier to prevent them being walked on.
The plastic cover on the slab inside the church will be removed to stop condensation, which is damaging this medieval artifact. This will now be surrounded by a rope barrier.
The rising damp at the doorway at the east end of the church will also receive treatment in accordance with the architect’s recommendation.
The “pidgeon mess” in the bell tower will be cleared-out and the louvres securely fixed and mesh to stop the pidgeons getting in put in place. This work will cost us a bit as the “mess” will need to be cleared by professionals.
I spoke of “volunteering” earlier, this might be an opportunity for those willing to give a little of their time.