Conservation and Maintenance at
Polstead Church
The following conservation, maintenance and associated work has
been completed or is under way at Polstead Church and has been made
possible by over £8,000 funding from the Friends, private donations
and volunteer work:
South Aisle – removal of the previous wooden
platforms, renovation and re-hanging of the wall panelling, removal
of modern concrete and impermeable plastic underlay, archaeological
survey of old floor layers and laying of new breathable lime
concrete floor.
Following plaster repair and redecoration, it is intended that
the South Aisle will be carpeted and furnished with the help of
generous donations in memory of Pattie Ashworth.
Roof – replacement of mastic in joins in the roof
covering over the South Aisle which had come away resulting in a
potentially serious leak in the roof.
External Plaster Repair – repair of the plaster on
the outside East wall of the nave above the chancel arch, which has
been letting in moisture, and around the chancel parapet.
Internal Plaster Repair and Redecoration – repair
of all defective areas of plaster in the church (taking care not to
damage exposed or hidden wall paintings) and full redecoration with
traditional lime wash (Hint of Ochre), following advice by leading
expert Mr Tobit Curteis on conservation of the wall paintings.
For safety reasons the redecoration works require full
scaffolding of the church, which will be closed throughout October
and November. Services are being held in Polstead Village Hall.
Proposed Churchyard Extension – archaeological
survey of the proposed area for extension of the churchyard,
required before planning permission for change of use can be
applied for. This survey has discovered the remains of a Bronze Age
hill top defensive settlement (circa 3,000BC), which will need to
be taken into account by the planning authority.
Anyone wishing to see a copy of the archaeological
report please contact Bill Wigglesworth
- tel.: 01787
210029
email
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