The resilient communities that refuse to let lead thieves win
0 Comments | Hull Daily Mail, Jul 23, 2010 | by DAVID TAYLOR
THEY are among the most beautiful buildings in East Yorkshire – but they are also some of the oldest.
Magnificent historic gothic churches that grace the landscape have had to stand the ravages of time.
Centuries of harsh weather have taken their toll on the stonework and fragile fabric of the places of worship.
And a new scourge, the theft of lead from roofs and guttering, is adding to the financial pressures of keeping them going. But caring communities across East Yorkshire are rallying to protect and preserve the churches for future generations.
Historic buildings group English Heritage has saluted the work being carried out to keep churches in the region open.
The majority of East Yorkshire’s listed places of worship are in a good or fair condition, according to its latest survey.
Delighted heritage officials say the area is bucking the national trend and out-performing other regions.
Special praise was heaped on parishioners who raised Pounds 164,756 in just over a year to restore St Andrew Church in Paull, near Hedon.
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, was so impressed that he visited the church to personally thank the villagers.
Church treasurer Paul Cross said: “What has been achieved in such a short time at St Andrew is incredible and I’m sure it is what inspired the archbishop to come to Paull.
“To raise the funds in such a short time was fantastic, especially at a time when money is tight and rural communities in particular have suffered in the recession.”
In 2007, following an architectural survey, villagers were shocked to learn that unless major restoration work was carried out, St Andrew would have to close.
With a leaking roof, plaster falling off the walls and an unstable bell tower, the situation was looking bleak for the church, which dates back to 1355.
Mr Cross said: “It was a real shock to everybody, but villagers were determined that should never be allowed to happen.
“None of us wanted to see a building of such architectural beauty and importance forced to close its doors for the last time.
“The church is the first thing you see when you come into Paull and is something that we all take a great deal of pride in.”
Centuries of wear and tear are unavoidable, but lead thefts are crippling conservation and refurbishment projects.
Congregations are being forced to use precious cash from fundraisers to repair roofs and replace the stolen lead.
Lead worth Pounds 9,000 was stolen in two separate attacks from the roof of St Peter’s Church in Hutton Cranswick, near Driffield.
The Reverend Ruth Hind, at St Peter’s, said: “Because we have had three incidents, the insurance would pay out only Pounds 5,000, leaving us to raise the rest.
“It was extremely upsetting and depressing, especially when there was such a big shortfall on the insurance money.
“But the people were very positive and the whole village and surrounding communities rallied, and we raised the Pounds 4,000 in two months.”
Mrs Hind said the cost of emergency repairs to cover lead thefts was taking money away from improvement projects at St Peter’s.
She said: “Places of worship are very important to people, even those who don’t attend church, and these thefts have the effect of hurting the whole community.”
One of East Yorkshire’s smallest communities has also faced the daunting task of raising thousands of pounds for church repairs.
Less than a dozen people were left to raise Pounds 50,000 to save St Nicholas’ Church in Dunnington, near Beeford, for future generations. Countless fundraising events were organised, such as carol services and strawberry teas, to raise the money over the past ten years.
The Reverend James Grainger-Smith said: “Ten years ago, St Nicholas was in a bad state of repair, with a small congregation and the closure of the church discussed.
“But although the congregation was small in number, their courage and commitment has been huge.”
Mr Grainger-Smith said the congregation had raised the money to keep the church serving the community.
He said: “I think this shows how important the church is in rural areas.
“The church is a focus of not only worship to God, but also the hub of the community and it is fantastic what has been achieved.”
Links English Heritage www.english-heritage.org.uk Diocese of York www.dioceseofyork.org.uk ‘East Yorkshire’s treasures’ THE majority of East Yorkshire’s listed churches are in a good or fair condition, according to the survey.
But English Heritage says about six per cent are potentially at risk of needing urgent repairs.
The historic architecture group surveyed 1,300 listed places of worship in Yorkshire and the Humber for its new report.
The aim was to assess the state of repair of churches and also find out how congregations are coping with the responsibility of looking after them.
English Heritage feared repairs might not be carried out, especially in the difficult economic climate.
It gives Pounds 40 million in grants a year to help with the work and estimates there are Pounds 925 million of outstanding repairs to be done over the next five years.
