Our Progress Diary
| May 2021 |
First stage of detailed investigations begin: Wall Paintings Conservator, Dr Andrea Kirkham, removes small areas of whitewash to check for traces of wall paintings - none are revealed. The remaining loose plaster on the Nave wall is removed and secured. Drake's Tomb is given temporary protection in case of plaster fragments falling in the North Aisle. The church can re-open after deep cleaning timed for the relaxation of Covid regulations around 21 June.
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| Result of our Expression of Interest to the NLHF: we are recommended to re-submit basing our project on the repairs needed to remove St Peter's from the 'Heritage at Risk Register' and including work to extend peoples understanding of the importance and value of the church and it's nature-rich churchyard. Plans for a kitchen & toilets to create a community hub will need to wait for a second phase. | ||
| April 2021 | Initial survey for the presence of bats will be followed by detailed surveys once they are out of hibernation. | |
| March 2021 | Expression of Interest submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a grant of £850,000. We will need to raise the other £100,000 ouselves. | |
| January 2021 | Wonderful news! We have recieved a £24,000 grant from the Government's Culture Recovery Fund. This will go a long way to paying for the specialist investigations we need. | |
| December 2020 | Plaster fragments from the damaged wall are being examined by a conservation specialist to see if there are any traces of wall paintings hidden by the layers of whitewash | |
| Repairs to the plaster work delayed by the need to fund-raise to cover the costs and further Covid lockdowns preventing access. | ||
| The church remains closed. | ||
| October 2020 | Headly Trust awards a grant of £3,500 towards weather-proofing repairs | |
| Facebook and Just Giving campaigns go live! | ||
| August 2020 | Application made to Heritage England ‘Covid-19 Heritage at Risk Emergency Fund’ for £24,000, decision expected soon. | |
| A bat survey in the churchyard identifies 7 bat species using the space. | ||
| June 2020 | Church remains closed until plasterwork can be assessed and stabilized and Covid 19 restrictions eased | |
| NLHF Grant Expression of Interest delayed due to NLHF giving priority to Corona virus related emergency projects | ||
| Enabling Works identified; Project Architect received quotes from specialists and experts for the investigative stage of the project | ||
| May 2020 | Planning continues with Project Schedule, grant applications and developing a publicity campaign despite Corona Virus lockdown | |
| March 2020 | Application made to the Headley Trust for £7,000. Decision expected October | |
| Church closed and all fund-raising events postponed due to Corona Virus | ||
| Project Architect appointed: Ruth Blackman of Birdsall, Swash and Blackman Ltd | ||
| February 2020 | Large area of plaster falls off the inside of the nave wall; church closed awaiting analysis and stabilisation. | |
| January 2020 | Diocesan Advisory Committee team visit St Peter’s to discuss proposed works and contractor access | |
| December 2019 | Essential work to deal with worst penetration by rain water is completed. | |
| November 2019 | Norfolk Churches Trust awards grant of £1,000 for urgent repairs | |
| October 2019 | Friends of St Peter’s Church is inaugurated. £1,125 raised as a result of the first meeting |
