Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham stresses importance of retaining churches as 24 in Nottinghamshire deemed at risk
The importance of keeping churches open as an integral part of community life has been stressed after 24 in the county were deemed at risk.
The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham said religious buildings offer numerous benefits, even though many are underfunded.
Twenty-four churches in the county were deemed to be at risk of being lost in the Historic England At Risk Register.
A Grade I-listed church in North Muskham has been identified to be of significant risk of deterioration.
The at risk register revealed a significant amount of stonework repair is needed at St Wilfrid’s Church, with the lower stages of tower masonry also heavily weathered.
Last year, around £50,000 was spent repairing the roof in the nave and porch after the lead was stolen.
Another £24,982.10 has paid out towards other projects, including cleaning and sanding of the floor, resurfacing the path and clock repairs.
Now, Historic England is working with an architect to come up with an action plan to save the building from further disrepair.
The church has received £36,500 in grants in recent years to put towards the cost of the works, including from Historic England, Notts Historic Churches Trust, Alexander & Caroline Simmons Trust and the National Churches Trust.
A building labelled the ‘leaning tower of Orston’ remains on the national list of at risk sites.
The tower attached to the Church of St Mary started to move away from the rest of the building around two years ago, causing cracking on the interior of the church.
Julian Huntheson, church warden, said: “It’s either the ground sinking or there’s underlying waterflows dissolving the rock.
“The problem with the tower is that it’s so big once it’s moved, it isn’t going back.”
The church has installed electronic monitoring equipment to keep an eye on the movements of the tower, which dates from 1766.
“We are trying to stabilise it as best we can,” Julian said.
The church is also looking at ways to make the building more sustainable by exploring alternative methods of heating.
Potential funding avenues for the works are being reviewed by the Parochial Church Council.
Also on the list is St Peter’s Church, Claypole.
The Grade I-listed building is listed as priority category A following a severe heritage crime when lead was stolen from the roof in in February 2019.
St Peter’s had received a Roof Repair Fund grant in 2015 to re-roof the chancel and vestry.
The church community is fundraising and investigating potential grants to repair the roof.
A 12th Century church, listed as a high priority by Historic England, is being transformed.
St Nicholas’ Church, Hockerton, is considered to be at immediate risk of further rapid deterioration on the heritage at risk register.
It is a Grade II-listed building, with a chancel, nave, south porch and tower built between the 12th and 14th Centuries, later restored by Hodgson Fowler in 1876.
The church was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 and has Norman features.
A solution for the repair and maintenance of the church has been agreed, including a new use for the site.
Planning permission has been granted to artist Ingrid Pears to change the use of the building into a glass blowing studio with a mezzanine office, under conditions including the recording of archaeological features prior to development.
The archaeological work has now been completed.
Historic England declared the church to be in very bad condition with historic, and possibly ongoing, movement evident in the stonework and loose and missing roof tiles.
Work has started to save a 19th Century church that has fallen into disrepair.
St Mary’s Church in Kilvington has been listed in the highest priority category of this year’s heritage at risk register by Heritage England.
This means there is an immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric to the building.
The Grade II-listed church has widespread stone erosion throughout, with significant structural faults to the south porch.
“It’s at risk because of the porch and we have begun work,” said the vicar, the Rev Elizabeth Murray.
Around £15,000 has so far been raised towards the cost of the repairs.
French drains are set to be installed outside the porch in an attempt to combat damp-related decay.
The church’s tower is also considered to be unsafe.
Elizabeth said it was vital the work was carried out so the community can continue using the building.
St Mary’s is regularly used for worship and for parish council meetings.
