Our heritage

2004 – Restoration

In 2004 it was found that the wooden platforms on which the victorian pews stood were badly infested with woodworm and were unsafe.The heating for the church also needed updating. A restoration Committee was set up in October 2004 to raise the £97,228.37 needed to carry out the planned work.

Janet, our Vicar, worked very hard at applying for grants, these grants along with the fundraising events – Open Gardens, Flower Festival, Dinner Parties, Coffee Mornings a 60′s night, Sunflower Competition, Community Garage sale, Auction, Farm Weekend, Pancake Tossing, Quiz Evening, Plant Stall, Slideshow and Supper , Photography and Art Competition and Exhibition and a Concert -by September of 2005 had raised £117,775.29 – an enormous amount in a relatively short time! The extra was now needed as we had the South Porch roof to repair and seating to be purchased for the Church.

Work commenced in September 2005 on the restoration and the South Porch roof, during the excavation of the floor bones were found and there was a short service of reburial. The work was completed by December 2005, just in time for us to hold our Christmas services in a lovely warm church – one drawback we had no seating ! The pews when removed were found to be in a worse condition than had been expected so new seating had to be considered.

Following a lot of consultation it was decided to purchase 100 light wooden oak chair with rush seating which we felt to be in keeping with our church – they look really good making the Church bright, welcoming and very adaptable for different events. The villagers was invited, if they so wished, to donate a chair and a plaque would be placed on the chair in their name, or in memory of a person or an event – the response was fantastic with all 100 chairs donated , we have since ordered a further twelve which have also been donated.

A Group Service was held on the 18th December 2005 when Bishop John came to rededicate St Firmin’s Church

Rededication of St Firmin's after the restoration

2009

The wooden bell frame in the bell tower was found to be rotten , and the north nave aisle roof had started leaking and was found to be in need of replacement, so raising funds again was needed. Thanks to grants, a generous one being from a local charity, and fundraising, we were in the position in December 2009 to replace the bell frame. Thanks to Terry Maddison, the tower captain, and fellow bell ringers who gave their time voluntarily, the work was completed over the Christmas 2009 / New Year 2010, despite the snow and the bitter cold. The bells have been now been re-dedicated and are again ringing out for the weekly service.

Lowering bell prior to replacing bell frame

2010

The work has now started on the north nave aisle roof, the work had to be delayed due to our resident bats. After an emergency inspection by Natural England it was found that the north side of the church was not being used by the bats so we were given permission to start the work, although timber treatment work that is in the body of the church has had to be delayed until the bats are hibernating.

The north nave aisle roof has now been completed as has treatment on the timbers of the nave and the chancel. Unfortunately during timber treatment it was found that we had badly decayed timbers in the sactuary and due to this the sanctuary has now been closed off from use until repairs are carried out, decayed timber were also found running between the Lady Chapel and the south aisle and these also will have to be repaired, althought the condition is not dangerous so that part of the church has not been shut off.

Following the water damage to the organ during the building work we will be without an organ for about a year, we are still waiting for the go ahead from the builders insurers and also the faculty before this can progress.

Progress at last with the organ. We now have a faculty and the order for the work has been sent. The organ will stay with us until the end of the month to complete its drying out naturally and will then be taken to the workshops of the restorer. It is hoped to have it back by August/ September. In the meantime we have been lent a portable electric Church organ by the restorer for which we are very grateful.

October 2011 – At last the work is nearly complete on the Chancel roof, and the South Trancept. The organ to is nearly complete and we hope to have the scaffolding down and the Church back to normal in the next couple of weeks – we hope!

 

November 2011

After nearly a year the Santuary can at last be entered in safety, the scaffolding has been removed and the work on the defective beam finished , we are very lucky to have Eton College as our Lay Rector and they take responsibility for repairs to the Chancel. The scaffolding is down and work finished also in the South Trancept , just in time for our Remembrance Sunday Service,which as usual was very well attended. The organ is also fully restored and being played, its sounding very good. It is lovely to have the church back as it should be and looking lovely again.