President: The Right Hon Lord Peyton of Yeovil, Chairman: Mr Justin Martin, Secretary: Mrs Rosemary Prince The Friends of Crewkerne Parish Church was established in December 1994, its object being:
"to beautify and assist in the maintenance of the fabric of the Parish Church …. and to preserve and protect it as a place of Christian worship".
- 'The Friends' - The Purpose
-
- St Bartholomew's parish church is a Grade I listed building and appears in 'The 100 most Beautiful Churches in England'. Many people value it as a magnificent and peaceful building and as an essential part of Crewkerne's history and community. Our 15th century church requires constant maintenance and repair. Routine and minor maintenance and repairs are carried out voluntarily by church members and are usually managed from within the church income donated by church members. However, the church looks to its 'Friends' for help with major and expensive works, like roof replacement.
The current project - renewal of three roofs- In February 2004, the main
nave roof began leaking. At first, it seemed the lead could be
replaced for £68,000, to which the Friends agreed to contribute
£30,000. Unfortunately, when the old lead was removed,
rot was found in many timbers, and, partly as a result of alterations
made in an earlier restoration, the whole roof was so unsound
it might have collapsed in a few years!. On the advice of a structural
engineer, steel plates were introduced to support the wall end
of the principal beams, and very strong, and expensive, steel
brackets were added to hold the other ends of all the cross beams
to the ridge pole. A new timber floor was laid above the medieval
planking, which had developed cracks, to provide a smooth surface
for the new lead. The pictures below shows the steel brackets
now attaching the beams to the central ridge pole, and the new
flooring going above the old. The work was finally completed
at the end of April 2006 at a cost of £130,000. The
church, which had to be closed while scaffolding was up inside
and out, is now once again open during the day.
- In November 2005 it was found that the wall plate had rotted away altogether over the Vicar's seat, and as more lead was removed, rot was found in the other end of many beams, creating insecurity where they joined the central ridge pole. The whole roof might have collapsed in a few years!. On the advice of a structural engineer, steel plates were introduced to support the wall end of the principal beams, and very strong, and expensive, steel brackets were added to hold the other ends of all the cross beams to the ridge pole.
- The medieval planking over the cross beams were cracked, with nails jumping loose. A new timber floor had to be placed above them, to
provide
a smooth surface for the new lead. The picture below shows the
steel brackets now attaching the beams to the central ridge pole,
and the new flooring going above the old. The new lead is currently
being laid on this; work should be completed by the end of April
2006.
- While the nave roof has been funded by existing money from the Friends, and by legacies left to the church for this purpose, the unexpectedly high costs of the nave roof replacement means little is left for the two other roofs which need attention in the next few years. The first that needs tackling is the Chancel roof, last replaced in 1708. Delay could be dangerous, as it increases the likelihood of leaks and rot. Costs are estimated at £85,000
- DISTRIBUTION OF TALENTS OF £1.
- At the suggestion of Hilary
Leamon, former Mayor and Committee member, The Friends are distributing
a "Talent" of £1, and asking people to multiply
it. She saw this work very successfully in Weston-Super-Mare,
with people finding ingenious ways to turn £1 into many
pounds. , Chalmers & Co will be giving two prizes, one for
the adult and one for the under 16s, who raise the most.
- The first Talents were distributed on Sunday May 7th, at a 10 a.m. Family Civic service, attended by Mayor Mike Best. They are now available at the Town Hall, and can also be collected at all future Friends events until the close of the campaign on Harvest Sunday, October !st, 2006, when they should be returned. A display board is going up in the north transept of the Church, where you can advertise the goods and services you have for sale, and the Crewkerne Advertiser has also promised help in this.
-
- Forthcoming events are:
- Sunday May 21 ~ Walk and cream tea
- Forthcoming events are:
- Starting from the South porch at 2.30 p.m. a guided walk taking an (abbreviated) route round the parish boundary - a traditional event for this Sunday. A cream tea will be available for £5-00 at Orchard House, Tower Hill Road, Crewkerne, from 3-30 to 5-30, so you could drop off the route early if you wish (or even, let it be whispered, cut the walk and come for the tea). There will also be a plant stall, and Talents will be available.
- Sunday June 4th 8-30-10 am ~ A social breakfast in the Church Hall.
- A group of Friends are putting their Talents together to provide this. The first, a simple breakfast will cost £2-50, but if the idea is popular, we can be more ambitious on the first Sundays of following months. It fits in between the Early Communion Service at 8 a.m and the family service at 10 a.m., but there is no obligation to attend either. Its for every one - bring your friends and family. You do not have to be a member of the Friends, or to have a Talent. However, it will provide an opportunity for exchanging ideas about using Talents, advertising your services, or selling produce.
- Friday June 30th ~ The South Somerset Choral Society & Junior Choir
- A concert in aid of the roof fund, in the church. The Junior choir is contributing a pop cantata written by the children and their leader Trevor Lloyd Jones, entitled A church in need of a roof. This should be fun. Cost: £8 at the door, children £3.
-
- Membership of the Friends
- Membership of The Friends is open to anyone who is interested in the preservation of the beautiful and historic parish church of St Bartholomew's whether or not they normally attend services. The nominal subscription is £12-00 p.a., but those who wish can give more. An application form is available. If you would like to join the Friends you may download an application form in .pdf format, complete and send it to the address shown. If you would like more information on the work of the Friends of St Bartholomew's Parish Church please send an email to the address on the contacts page.