HLF Grant reroofing of Grade I listed Church nears completion

— 17 Dec 2020

Replacement of central stepped lead gutter with improved detailing. New slate to roofs

Re-slating and new valley junction to Aisle and Transept with sarking boards as internal ceiling finish

Eroded glazed roll top ridge tiles replaced with new lead roll top ridges due to Covid-19 supply issues. Salvaged slates reused

Defective and undersized rainwater hopper from central gutter enlarged and improved

Chimney repointing in lime mortar and new and improved lead abutment flashings to new slate

Central stepped gutter leadwork detailing improved

After an inauspicious start of storms, supply issues and of course the pandemic, the reroofing of the main roof of St Margaret’s Church Northam is almost complete. Contractors Jamie Brown Roofing & Leadwork have done a great job of reslating, repointing, renewing leadwork and upgrades to rainwater goods despite the ongoing and challenging issues.   

The work was grant aided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as well as a tireless effort by the PCC to raise funds. The result is their much loved Church is finally water tight after many years of water ingress, which had resulted in the Grade I listed Church being put on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register in 2014.

A redesign of the ceiling has meant that water damage caused by inappropriate Victorian detailing and repair should be avoided in future. Our Architect Martin Sturley-Hayes has also included design features to reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and make future redecoration easier.

The scaffolding is now being removed and the community can celebrate their church being returned to its former glory by the end of this year.