The Lychgate is back!
After being knocked over by a car, the Lychgate was dismantled and taken to the restorer’s workshop. Work took a long time, including the preparation of over 2000 shingles for the Lychgate roof. The restorers re-erected the Lychgate in the week beginning 17th October 2022.
Update 22nd October 2022
The work was started on 17th, and has been completed. The lychgate looks wonderful back in place. The war memorial has had the lettering re-gilded, which looks good. We will officially ‘open’ the gate at our Remembrance Day service on Sunday 13th November at 10:30am. See you there?
Update 10th October 2022
There’s been another delay. You’re not surprised, are you? Anyway, the new date is 17th October 2022. Let’s see.
Ecclesiastical Insurance, Quadra Claims, Ridge Surveyors have all worked together on this. We were told May, then late July, then 19th Sept, then later that week, then 10th October, and now 17th October.
Update 14th September 2022
We have received a comprehensive progress report showing some of the craftsmanship that is going into restoring the lychgate, and a new date has been proposed for re-erection to start: 10th October 2022. Watch this space for some photos from the work shortly…
Update 12th September 2022
19th September is now a bank holiday, so perhaps the Lychgate will appear later that week. We haven’t heard anything from the project managers.
Update 5th August 2022
19th September has, apparently, a large red circle around it on the wall calendar at the restorers. We look forward to having the Lychgate back.
Update 22nd June 2022
Illness, non-availability of parts, Covid etc have brought about delays. The restorers have now estimated “Late July” for reinstating the lychgate.
Update 18th March 2022
The lychgate was dismantled on Tuesday 15th March, and then taken away to the workshops of the restorers. It is scheduled to be returned and rebuilt in May.
Update 2nd March 2022
The contractors are a family firm, and I have been informed that a close bereavement has put them out of action for two weeks. We now expect them on site on 14th March. They anticipate the lychgate being away for two months – previously the target week for its return was 10th May but I expect that will need to be put back too.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family.
David Heath-Whyte, Rector, 2nd March 2022
Update 25th February 2022
The contractors are now due to start on 1st March, and will spend two days on site before removing the lychgate for restoration elsewhere. We have been unable to obtain a schedule of works despite several requests.
Update 10th February 2022
I understand that the contractors are due to start work on 28th February.
David Heath-Whyte, Rector, 10th February 2022
Update, 19th December 2021
Ridge & the Diocesan planners have done lots of negotiating, and the plans for restoration have been accepted and approved. We now anticipate that the lychgate will be moved away for restoration in January 2022.
David Heath-Whyte, Rector, 19th December 2021
Update, 8th November 2021
Our church insurers, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, have appointed Ridge and Partners LLP to oversee the project.
Since the church building is a Grade I listed building, the lychgate has to be restored in accordance with Grade I rules, and this is being taken account of in the planning.
I understand that a restoration company has inspected the lychgate and provided Ridge & co with appropriate information, and that we are awaiting action from Ridge to further the project.
Sadly it will not be reinstated before Remembrance Sunday 2021.
David Heath-Whyte, Rector, 8th November 2021