This funding is to complete a detailed survey with the intention of rolling out to further conservation work. When the holidays are over we will start looking to appoint a Lead Professional, a suitably qualified and experienced structural engineer. Their role will be the management and delivery of a report upon the condition and make conservative recommendations for the repair of:
1) the nave roof structure including concealed beam ends and joints;
2) the chancel roof structure including concealed timber bearings (both north and
south sides);
3) the structural timbers of the bell tower;
4) the nave floor; and
5) foundations in locations of structural movement;

This will require a range of skills including an archaeologist and ecologist to compliment the more obvious building conservation related skills. We will keep you all informed on progress in the new year.

One aspect of conservation that we are pursuing concurrently is the future of the rood screen that has been stored in the church for many years. It, too, requires a survey. It is early days but the screen needs to be accurately drawn and/or scanned. The paint needs to be investigated as there maybe gold, blue and red detailing under the black paint. Such paint would require a conservator to work on it, the screen structure to be repaired at erected, hopefully, at the west end of the nave. Again, we will have more information to share on this over the coming months.

If anyone would like to get involved, in any capacity, with the conservation of St Bartholomew’s please get in touch. Don’t think because you have never been involved in something like this there isn’t much you can offer as nothing could be further from the truth. It is a learning process from day one, lots of professionals out there give us advice and your knowledge grows. Conservation, fundraising, archaeology, history, gardening, event management, ecology, building, carpentry, cleaning and administration. All of these disciplines and more make up a successful team so please join in, we would be pleased to see you.

The Trustees and volunteers.