1st September 2010

BRIDPORT: Church facing big repair bill

A BRIDPORT church is praying that new repair work can stop the rot, which has left them with a bill of more than £40,000.

Earlier this year St Swithin’s Church discovered a dry rot problem affecting the back wall of the building and has been fundraising ever since to pay for repairs.

The original damage was estimated to cost in the region of £18,000 but further inspection has seen that figure more than double.

The external guttering of the church will now have to be replaced along with part of a main load-bearing truss in the roof. Damage to the rear wall and roof will also need to be repaired and new carpets fitted.

Since work began in May church services have been held in the vestry extension. The newly discovered damage means that work is not scheduled to finish until the end of September.

Team Vicar in Bridport and St Swithin’s Priest Peter Edwards said: “We have had grants of £17,000 but that does leave around £25,000 that we need to pay either from reserves or through the generosity of worshippers or the community.

“We are investigating other possibilities but realistically we aren’t expecting a great deal more in terms of grant money so that does mean the bulk of cost is for us to raise or to be met from resources.

“We have had a number of one-off events which have contributed in a small way towards that and obviously we will be arranging some more events during the later part of the year and no doubt into next year and beyond.

“We’re making do as best we can with the resources that are available, I had to do a baptism in slightly cramped conditions last Sunday. Worship in the hall is quite intimate and so we have to be friendly. People have been supportive and understanding but I think people are very much looking forward to being back in church.”

There will be a tea dance in the vestry this Saturday, September 4th from 3pm to 5:30pm. The Reverand Edwards will also be taking part in a sponsored walk across the Yorkshire three peaks later this month to help with fundraising.

PICTURE: LOOKING FOR FUNDING - Jody Leaf of lead contractor H Leaf and Sons, former church warden Derek Williams, fundraiser Ira Tuck and the Reverend Edwards

BRIDPORT: Church facing big repair bill

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