Church Tower Repair

St. Peter's Church, Witherley, Leicestershire

A grade 1 listed church, the church dates from the early 14th century and the tower from the 15th. The chancel was rebuilt in 1858. The majority of the fabric is in coursed and squared Attleborough stone with the later chancel in random rubble. The tower is in two stages and stands approximatly 24metres and carries an in set spire of 22metres. The tower has a crenellated parapet with external panelling of trefoiled arches with sunken spandrels. At each corner above the diagonal buttress there are four panelled and crocketed pinnacles. On the south elevation at the junstion of the nave to chancel is a 19th century polygonal turret which serves a small vestry and stair to the pulpit.

The Tower underwent major repair on the battlements which were in a dilapidated state and the possibilities of falling masonry. The scaffolding was to be designed and erected to provide a substantial working platform on which dismantled material,could be stored, this minimizes handling and reduces the risk of damage to stones during hoisting. Scaffolding lifts were carefully positioned to allow principal work area to be accessible with minimal alteration to the scaffold, mechanical fixing of the scaffold to the structure was not permitted.

The retention of original stonework is of primary importance and only when stones are structurally unsound would they be replaced. The detail of original carving and their profiles would be replicated where new work is introduced.

Tradtional mortars using lime putties and whenever possible local sands allows for reconstruction impact against retained fabric to be minimised. Contractors are required to prepare a sample panel for approval and this is used to ensure that batching and finish remain consistant. Steel trowel and raised pointing is not permitted, mortar is kept behind the face of the stone and joints rubbed to remove latents and expose aggregates in the sand.

English Heritage generously funded the works at 40%. The parish, the PCC and the vicar all made a fantastic effort to raise the remaining balance for the funding of the project to the extent that the whole village became involved in the project and a scare-crow weekend raised in excess of £8000, this is now an annual event and the monies are allowing completion of low level repairs and the installation of a toilet and kitchen.

Click here to view a pdf of the Witherley process

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