A rural church on the Isle of Wight is facing a challenge to raise £100,000 as it looks to repair its severely water-damaged tower.
The community at All Saints Church, in Newchurch, has already had to stabilise its church tower, using a metal framework, as it was in danger of falling over.
More work needed
Now, more work is needed as its wooden church tower has suffered water ingress and wear and tear. The weatherboarding needs to be replaced as sections are rotting.
Work will begin once planning permission from the Isle of Wight council has been granted and £100,000 raised.
Unique wooden tower
Clive Allen, a churchwarden at All Saints, said the wooden tower was almost certainly unique on the Island and if it wasn’t there, people would miss it, as it is a symbol of Newchurch.
The church has been standing for nearly 1,000 years, serving the village since 1086.
First phase of work ‘cleaned the church out’
The first phase of work, which cost £42,000, ‘cleaned the church out’ Reverend Kath Abbott said, so the church is looking for grants, fundraising opportunities and donations to fund the further necessary work.
Mr Allen said there was still a huge task ahead of them with an awful lot of work involved.
Avoid repainting every few years
Every few years the church has to paint the weatherboarding white to maintain its landmark look, but to cut the big expense in the future it is proposed, when the waterboarding is replaced, it will not be painted.
Instead, the wood will silver with age and save the church about £15,000 every four to five years, stopping the legacy of the community constantly repairing and painting the tower, Rev. Abbott said.
Unknown whether always been white
There is also a question about whether the church tower has always been white, Mr Allen raised.
He said it certainly has been in living memory and in Victorian photos it looks to be but in engravings from the early 19th Century, it is hard to tell.
To raise funds the church will be holding a coronation breakfast on Monday, 6th May.
View the plans
Comments on the planning application have now closed but you can view the plans, 23/00187/FUL, on the Isle of Wight council’s planning register.
Last year the church also suffered damage during Storm Eunice, when its weather vane was blown down.
Donations can be made to the church or via its Just Giving page.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
