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 THE TOWER &
ITS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM
Every
church has to have a quinquennial inspection by a Diocesan approved Architect.
This has for many years outlined structural problems in the tower and the latest
report states that this is now urgent. The rest of the report shows the church
to be in good condition.
The
arrangement at the top of the tower consists of a level pierced stone parapet
with the truncated remains of pinnacles at each corner, and a relatively short
stone spire with a crocketed pinnacle at this apex. In summary, the lead gutter
has developed faults and is leaking. This is allowing rainwater to leak into
the masonry at the base of the spire and top of the tower. The stone and brick
has been saturated and has led to spalling of the stone and brickwork, and
cracking in the walls at the top of the tower. Defects in the mortar joints in
the stone are allowing the water to leak in.
SO, WHAT IS
THE SOLUTION?
Close the Church
This is
unacceptable as the church is still used weekly by a small but growing
congregation and regularly by those wanting to be christened, married and
buried.
·
Remove all the pinnacles and spire and cap the roof
This is more
expensive than restoring.
·
Basic Repairs
English
Heritage and the Diocese have turned down this
option as the tower is now
dangerous.
·
Full
Restoration
This is the
only option acceptable to the congregation
and the wider village community.
This historic
building has been handed down to the village
by past generations as a landmark
to serve the needs of the
whole community. It is our responsibility to pass it
on to our descendants in a fit state,
so it may continue to be used as a
place for peace
and worship as well as being a focal point
and gathering place
for the community.
HOW MUCH WILL
IT COST?
It will cost
£65,000.
English Heritage have recognised the importance
of the project
and offered us a substantial grant.
We are approaching many organisations
seeking their help
and we will shortly be contacting you to see how you too
can
assist us with this project.
For more
details please contact:
Rev’d Andrew Bullock
telephone: 01886 932355
email:
a.bullock@rmplc.co.uk
or visit the Suckley website on:
www.suckley.net
DID YOU KNOW?
The original cost of the church in 1878 was £5,000 by public
subscription.
The tower is hung with 6 bells cast by the famous Rudhall foundry
in Gloucester. These were restored in the late 1980s at a cost of £9,000 raised
locally.
The
Church seats 250.
The beautifully carved oak hymnboard was donated by two ladies of
the School of Art - Wood Carving in London in memory of their colleague Miss
MacKenzie who died locally.
The large font dates from around 1150-1200 and has a 17th century
domed cover.
There is a brass tablet in the chancel to the Rev’d Thomas
Littleton (died 1665).
In 1822 there was a custom of dressing the church with holly at
Christmas, birch on Sunday nearest Midsummer, oak at Whitsuntide and yew at
Easter.
Replica Crimea medals are to be found on the headstone of
William Henry Beard who died in 1901 and there is a military grave in memory of
J H Dewhurst who died in November 1945.
Outside the church are the remains of a medieval preaching
cross, scars show where arrows were sharpened on the stone.
The clock on the tower was installed in 1911 in memory of the
local benefactor EH Hill.
Fences in the churchyard were originally set up in sections,
each one sponsored by local landowners.
The population in 1891 was 664, it is now 547, 52% of whom are
over the age of 45!
The school roll in 1891 was 136, it is now 42. The original
school-house was built up against the western end of the south wall of the old
church.
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