An early Christman present was delivered at a Norfolk round tower church – thanks to specialist architect Ruth Blackman.
A half-day of minor repairs was completed by S & L Restoration, which was funded by the Round Tower Churches Society.
Working initially with the Norfolk Churches Trust, she has pioneered a “just-in-time” and “on-the-day” programme of minor works with approved contractors as part of the quinquennial inspections.
In simple terms, if a parish agrees, then either a half-day or full-day of minor repairs can be completed at the same time as the official QI.
Mrs Blackman, of Mid-Norfolk-based architects Birdsall, Swash & Blackman, has developed the pilot project concept.
The Round Tower Churches Society agreed to support her scheme. In the week before Christmas, a two-man team completed repairs at St John the Baptist, Morningthorpe – much to the delight and relief of Mary Sargeant.
The total cost, less than £400, was met by the Society. And it has been agreed that it will fund further “on-the-day” QI inspection/ repairs if requested by the church and architect.
Mrs Blackman explained her reasoning for the 2025 pilot project “Frustrated at the ever-increasing number of repairs on churches that could have been avoided, I considered, some years ago, the practicalities of having a contractor attend my quinquennial inspections.”
If a defect was relatively easy to rectify during the QI inspection, it could be addressed immediately.
Early last year, this approach started, working initially with three contractors. Each was asked to provide a team of two, for a half or full day, with appropriate equipment to carry out minor repairs.
The “first-aid kit” for a medieval church typically included lime mortars, flashband, lead mastic, tiles and slates, netting and tools to clear rainwater goods, surface water drains, and to remove vegetation from church walls.
The pilot’s pool of core contractors included – brick and flint layer Peter Barnes; Stephen Miles and Lee Jenkinson of S & L Restoration; Jason Smith, of DJS Roofing, and Colin Watts. “Without them, we would not be rolling out this programme into 2026,” said Mrs Blackman.
The contractors on site not only enable maintenance work to be done, but also urgent and minor repairs to be carried out. They can also access roofs otherwise impossible to get to without assistance and ladders.
The project’s repairs, authorised by Mrs Blackman, have included work on the following churches – replacement of a silence chamber ladder at Bylaugh, gutter bracket and running outlet at Knapton, ridge tiles at Harwick and guttering at Bacton.
The benefit of this pilot project has been immeasurable. One success was at Northrepps. When a north nave gutter joint had failed, it allowed water to discharge close to the wall and fall on the roof below. This “stitch-in-time” repair probably prevented many thousands of pounds of water damage to timber and walls. A quick, practical solution ensured rainwater was discharged by downpipes.
This pilot scheme is supported by the Norfolk Churches Trust and the Round Tower Churches Society. Both will offer grant-aid towards the cost of the contractor.
This will not only save historic fabric but provide significant support for those responsible for maintaining and caring for our churches.
The Norfolk Churches Trust is also holding a QIR/ maintenance project day on Saturday, April 18. Details from the trust or from Mrs Blackman – enquiries@birdsallswashblackman.co.uk
Photograph of St John the Baptist church, Morningthorpe, by Richard Barham, taken on January 28, 2020.
