ST PETER’S CHURCH, BRIMPTON
SOS
SAVE OUR SPIRE!
The spire of our church needs repair.
Brimpton Church is at the heart of our community, and the spire is a local landmark that is enjoyed and shared by the whole parish.
After many years, the wooden tiles (known as “shingles”) are worn out. There are holes in the spire where nesting jackdaws get in, and in bad weather the old shingles are blown down, exposing the timbers underneath. Our architect advises that the shingles should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent the structure of the spire from deteriorating. Unfortunately, this will be very expensive.
The PCC has recently appointed a Project Group from across the Brimpton community to look into the next steps, manage the project and raise the necessary funds. The group is researching every aspect of the project, including how to get best value. This website will be kept up to date with information as it becomes available.
The PCC is most grateful for all the support already received – thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest, and to Brimpton Parish Council for its generous financial contribution to the cost of assessing the extent of the problem.
Project Group:
Philip Turner (Chair)
John Hicks
Nick Matthews
Toby du Pré
Brenda Scott
Patricia Brims
Updates on the Project
As a starting point the group is looking for ways of reducing the cost without compromising on quality. We have contacted other churches with similar projects, and we are following up the information they have shared with us. In particular, they have told us about the materials and contractors they have used, and have given advice about applying for grants, all of which is helpful.
A number of Brimpton people have already started fundraising for the project, which is fantastic. Thank you very much! We have been asked to confirm that the money raised will be ring fenced for the spire, and the PCC can confirm this. The Spire Fund is accounted for separately from all other church funds. The Spire Fund means what it says.
Another question that has been asked by Brimpton residents is whether it might be possible to save money by using a cherry picker rather than scaffolding. We took further professional advice about this, and unfortunately it really would be impossible because of the “limited access into the churchyard, the height/reach requirement and the ground conditions”. Scaffolding is the only option, but we are determined to make sure we get the best value.
Thank you again for your support and interest, and we will keep in touch. We plan to hold another open meeting when we have something definite to report, and in the meantime please watch this space in the Villages’ News, on John Hicks’s Brimpton Update, on Brimpton News and Views, and on the AWB Benefice website.
SOS working group