Church can finally fix leaky roofs thanks to grant

A Norman church where buckets had become a familiar sight to catch leaks and prevent water damage has received a fresh grant to help complete vital roof repairs.

Holy Rood Church in Shillingstone, Dorset, has spent the past three years raising more than £300,000 for restoration work.

After fixing two collapsed, leaking ceilings, the congregation is now aiming to finish the project by restoring the nave and porch roofs.

Following a recommendation from the National Churches Trust, Holy Rood has been awarded an £11,235 grant from the Wolfson Foundation to help fund the final phase of the work.

Canon Sue Chandler, lay chair of the Parochial Church Council, said: "The Church of the Holy Rood has over the last few years needed to replace all the roofs – the north aisle, chancel and now nave – which was last done approximately 140 years ago.

"This has been very expensive, and we have been very grateful for the support of charities and of the village community in this endeavour."

Following a recent government change meaning listed places of worship can no longer reclaim VAT on repair and maintenance work, the congregation was forced to find additional funding.

"We were at a loss to know where to go for help when we learnt that we could apply to the National Churches Trust," Chandler said.

"This means a huge amount to us as the work needed is already far more extensive than we had expected – the roof battens were rotting, which was not anticipated to this degree."

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said the group was "delighted" to help with the "urgent repairs" to the "beautiful" church.

"Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people," she added.

Funding from the grant will be used to install new timber battens and oak rafters where required within the roofs of the nave and the chancery.

Damaged tiles and rotten or defective gutters will also be fixed.

As a result, it is thought that Holy Rood will not require a new roof for at least another 100 years.

Although the Grade-I listed building's structure is Norman, it can trace its history back as far as the 7th Century.