Following very successful fundraising, grant applications and hard work the repairs to our stonework and limestone mortar are now complete! the walls are wind and rain tight again.

Now we have to address three parts of the roof where lead theft and weather damage over the years have led to an increasing number of buckets around the building.

During the snow in January, water started pouring in through the ceiling in the choir vestry which was totally new to us. Theft of the lead above the vestry has caused problems for a long time but this new area was something else to witness!

Our organ, quite rare and well thought of, was damaged by rain coming through the roof above. We paid for plastic sheeting to be installed to cover it and for immediate repairs.

At the back of church, where the tower meets the nave, broken guttering lead to water penetrating the roof and rotting timbers. This is also fairly major.

These three areas are going to cost around £53,000 to fix in three stages. We have applied for permission, obtained quotations and are about to start work on the most urgent.

Now that the government has confirmed that the Listed Buildings fund will continue for another 12 months, we will, at least, be able to get the VAT back.