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 around 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. 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.
As reported by Island Echo, the church suffered damage during Storm Eunice last year when the weather vane was left hanging dangerously and had to be removed by firefighters.
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. He added that there was still a huge task ahead of them with an awful lot of work involved.
The church has been standing for nearly 1,000 years, serving the village since 1086.
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.
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, that it will not be painted. Instead, the wood will silver with age and save the church about £15,000 every 4 to 5 years, stopping the legacy of the community constantly repairing and painting the tower.
Work will begin once planning permission from the Isle of Wight Council has been granted and £100,000 raised.
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.
To raise funds the church will be holding a Coronation breakfast on Monday 6th May and donations can also be made to the church via its Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/allsaintsnewchurchtowerappeal.
I am a grest enthusiast of old churches , especially norman ones, my only disagreement with this fund raiser is that the church of england at last figures has over 16 billion pounds invested in various trusts, shares and funds, if this was canterbury or york minster or lambeth palace in london where the high and mighty live the church would be falling over itself to write checks before they are needed. and they wonder why the church is so marginalised in modern society.
The diocese has got plenty try them after all it’s their church
No need to donate anything. The lord will provide.
this begging lark going on all time is getting boring now.plus the church gang are loaded.fund it yourself