Updated 17/08/2006
Latest News
ST BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH AND CHURCHYARD is an ancient Christian site and the church is still used for worship most Sundays and on other occasions. The Church has its origins in Norman times, about 1175, but the site itself is believed to have had earlier Christian and pre-Christian uses. The Church is a Grade I listed building with many old and interesting features. The beautiful north porch lies beneath an unusual 'Priest's Room', the Font is believed to originate from the 14th century and the pulpit, installed in 1631, is one of the Church's treasures.
THE PRESENT PROBLEMS with the building arise largely from its precarious position and construction on a mound which may well be partly man-made. The building has probably suffered the effects of ground movement and structural instability since it was built. This movement became significantly worse in the mid-1980s and early 1990s and resulted in changing levels and widening cracks.
 |
 |
| One of the major cracks | Original retaining wall |
In association with English Heritage detailed studies and monitoring have been carried over the last decade. These studies have indicated that major factors in the recent movement were the seasonal swelling and shrinkage of the clay mound influenced by the roots of the surrounding trees and vegetation. The retaining wall on the north and east sides, which may be contemporary with the Church, is disintegrating and adding to the problems.
 |
 |
| View of the church and mound | Trees growing in the mound |
 |
After removal of the trees on the South West side |
ADDITIONAL LAND on the north and east sides has been acquired and the trees and vegetation removed from the mound. In the hot dry summer of 2003 there was no measurable movement on this side of the Church. The trees on the south and west sides were removed in early 2004 to look for similar improvement. There has been no subsequent movement.
| August 2005 |
 |
 |
|
November 2005 Natural stone blocks ready to face the wall |
 |
 |
| Bags of facing stones ready for walling |
 |
 |
| The finished effect |
 |
|
 |
||
CIVIL ENGINEERING WORK started in July 2005 to stabilise the building (see above). This is involved rebuilding the retaining wall around the north and east of the church with a reinforced concrete structure on piles and anchored into the mound. The wall was finished with natural stone sympathetic to the building and surroundings (see picture). The mound will soon be cultivated and sown with grass and wildflower seed.
Now that the RETAINING WALL is complete attention will turn to the CHURCH BUILDING which closed after the Easter services until the work is complete. This is estimated to take around six months. There is a great deal of expensive restorative work left to do to stitch the huge cracks in the building back together and preserve the church in a fit state to hand on to future generations.
A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS are contributing to the preservation and restoration of this fine building. Currently, these include the regular worshippers, The Friends of St Bartholomew's and English Heritage. A number of local organisations and individuals have already made contributions and these are greatly appreciated. A funding committee has been formed and will be seeking to raise funds to ensure that as much of the necessary work as possible is completed. If you would like more information about progress and/or would like to help the survival of St Bartholomew's Church, please contact the Church Office.