from Ro Gadion
You may have noticed that the church has had further repair work to the exterior ‘ the area between the tower and porch on the South side. These walls were suffering from damage similar to the tower, with significant cracks in the walls and buttresses, and missing or damaged flints which let in water, potentially leading to long term damage.
We’re pleased that this has all now been repaired to the same high standard as the tower. The channels which run round the base of the church and take the rainwater from the downpipes were cracked and leaking. These have also been fixed, so that will help reduce sources of damp in the church.
We were able to pay for the work from our remaining HLF grant. We had some money left over (once all the bills were paid and VAT reclaimed), but it could only be spent on tower repairs and damp reduction.
To get some idea of the work that was needed on the tower, and made possible by the Heritage Lottery Fund and a huge effort by the fund raising committee and the people and friends of Great Chishill click here .
We hope to start on the next phase in the summer. We want to create an open space right across the back of the church, for the use of the whole community for meeting and events. The floor and pews will be taken out, a new kitchenette / servery area installed and a new limestone floor laid, plus associated electrical and heating work. We have most of the funding needed, but we will take up the offer of an interest-free loan from Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust so we can complete the project without too much further delay.
