St. Margaret’s Church is required to undergo an inspection every five years by a qualified architect, who then issues a quinquennial report, listing defects requiring attention in the short, medium and longer terms. The responsibility for organising the necessary action then passes to the Parochial Church Council.
In over 40 years since The Friends was established in 1981, it has funded some £400,000 of essential repairs and maintenance at St. Margaret’s Church. Major projects undertaken in recent years include:
Storm damage repairs
Toilet facilities
Pest eradication
Heating and plumbing
Tower repairs
Repointing
Internal and external painting
Churchyard paths
Churchyard walls
Spire repairs and reshingling
Stonework repairs
Roof repairs
Belfry walls
New gas boiler (50% grant)
£35,500
£10,800
£10,500
£16,400
£13,100
£16,400
£10,200
£11,500
£8,000
£32,000
£8,500
£48,800
£7,700
£13,600
In 2022 alone, The Friends funded £30,000 of essential maintenance and repairs and have identified further work required, totalling some £100,000, to be funded over the next few years.