Update on the Tower Restoration
Update 29/9/24
Our 400 year old timber spirelet has been hiding its age. With the scaffolding in place, it has been possible to access the inside the Spirelet (the octagonal pyramid on top of the tower).
The picture shows the gutter (with the lead removed) which sits behind and about 60cm (2ft) below the top of the parapet of the turret. As can be seen the wood base which supports the lead gutter and the Spirelet, has largely turned to dust.
The second picture, inside the spirelet, shows the condition of two of the eight supporting oak log sections and the decay on the central oak pillar.
The good news is that following an independent structural assessment we hope to restore the central pillar without removing it and even reuse some of the log supports. The timber base will need to be completely rebuilt meaning the spirelet will have the be at least partially dismantled. Fortunately, most the wooden beams supporting the floor across the void of the stairway are still usable.
The church is a Grade 1 listed building so we are required to retain as much of the original structure and materials as possible (with the overriding constraint that the building must be safe over the long term). We suspect that the core materials, the log supports, and the central oak pillar have been in position at least since 1673 when the large spire blew down, but they could be older as the spirelet was probably built around 1425.
The Staplehurst community has been extremely generous in supporting the Tower project. This, together with grants, has enabled us to raise the funding to pay for the work. Unfortunately, while we do not have a definitive figure yet, the unexpected state of the spirelet may add up to £30,000 to our budgeted costs This is for scaffolding, materials, labour and the cost of the necessary extension to the Schedule. We are working had to reduce this, but any extra that you can give will make a big difference.
Small donations add up! Go to – allsaintsstaplehurst.co.uk/tower-turret-appeal/
Many thanks. Tony Henley
Preliminary details following the structural inspection 10/9/24
My notes on the preliminary conclusions – still to be agreed with Daniel Martin and costed.
Structural engineer from Morton Partnership inspected the turret on Tuesday 10th September.
Daniel Higgs, Pierra Project manager, and Tony Henley also attended, Daniel Martin, our Inspecting Architect was unavailable.
Central wooden post
The is sound, top and bottom but has some rot in the middle section. This was hidden until the scaffolding allowed the side of the spire removed.
The rot penetrates only an Inch or two into one side of the Post which is therefore considered acceptable to retain, perhaps with some additional bracing, under the floor and within the spire itself (down to the base)
Spire floor
The floor of the Spire, which is also the base on which the lead of the gutter sits, has completely rotted away and needs replacing (probably in soft wood).
The beams that support the floor are mostly sound although it is recommended that one, which has some decay and is made up of two sections, be left in situ and an additional beam added.
Spire supports
These are sections of oak log and while have some decay still have strength and most could be reused. (At the moment these are loose and do present a small hazard to anyone in the stair way.
Spire rafters
Basically sound, may need strengthening at the base.
Work already agreed
Replace the shingles and the ‘penny board’ (thin timber sheets) on which they sit.
Add ‘soakers’ to the eight vertices of the Spire (These were never fitted and as a consequence water has entered the spire causing the rot).
Cut back the masonry of the inside of the parapet of the turret to allow the replacement lead to fit better as the gutter, add flashing to the Parapet (and the underside of the Spire base) and replace the lead together with a new lead outlet for water to exit the gutter.
Some additional masonry work may be required on the inner face of the stepped wall on which the gutter sits.
New scaffolding
Pierra the contractors believe that a temporary safety platform will be required below the spire floor. above the stair way to allow safe working on the spire – this was not in the plan and will be a significant cost. Once in place it will allow normal access to the stair way (although possibly not exit onto the roof)
Because the platform will be require regardless of decision on other element of the turret repairs, It could be fitted as part of adjustment to the scaffolding which is due to happen soon it should mean the bell ringers could have access again quite quickly ( but no promises I am afraid).
Tony Henley
11th September 2024
Update 17/8/24
The work has got off to a slow start but now the scaffolding is complete, real work can begin. As many will have seen and the photos suggest, the scaffolding is extensive. It needs to provide access to the very top of the turret including the weathervane and because the Church is Grade One listed, the scaffolding cannot be attached to it hence the extra frame on the north side which is linked across the back (East) side to connect and hold up the main scaffolding to the south.
Scaffolding is also necessary inside the bell chamber to allow the timbers of the roof to be inspected on the underside. Here the challenge was to fit the frame to allow safe access but still, if possible, allowing the bells to be rung. This has been achieved.
Fortunately, the inspection showed that there are no significant problems with the roof timbers with only some additional wedging of the roof supports required.
The lead of the roof which is over 100 years old going by the graffiti, has been lifted in places to check the timbers and again no concerns were identified. The roof will need some minor modification to comply with the latest standards for correct drainage, but this was anticipated.
The replacement stones for the turret are on order, including the
critical large lintel stone to replace the cracked one above the door. These have to be quarried, then cut and dressed to the correct size and shaped to fit the octagonal Turret.
The full extent of the work required on the small spire above the turret will become apparent when its lead gutter (which will be replaced) and the old shingles are removed. But so far this appears to be much as expected.
There is a long way to go but a very positive start has been made.
Finally, our apologies to anyone inconvenienced by congestion on the road at the top of the hill cause by the unloading of the scaffolding materials. This is now complete and hopefully improved procedures will be in place when the scaffolding is removed. As the contactors are quick to point out the church is a difficult site to access.
Thank you to the local community for your support without which the work would not be possible.
And a big thank you to all our charity funders.
- Benefact Trust
- Friends of All Saints
- Friends of Kent Churches
- Garfield Western
- National Churches Trust
- Wolfson Trust
- Anonymous Grant
- St John’s College
Tony Henley
All Saints Staplehurst, Building and Grounds
