ACHIEVEMENTS
Since its formation in 2006 the Friends have raised over £50,000 towards:
2008
– removal of tower window guards to stop staining of the stonework;
2009
– re-glazing and repair of stonework to small south window;
– removal of beetle-infested pews;
– repair of tower steps;*
– installation of a rope-hold and lighting in the tower stairway;
– renewal & strengthening of tower roof walkways;
– re-covering of drains with stone;
– re-lining of 11 tombs with kerbs;
2010
– restoration of 2 table tombs;
– purchase of 6 large folding tables, 40 wooden chairs and 80 folding chairs;
2011
– new heating system for the Nave;
– new heating system for the Nave;
– re-siting of mains services;
2012
– new floor & ceiling in the bell room;
– re-establishment of a 2nd floor in the tower;
– return of the Miles Graye bell from Colchester Museum, and its repair,refurbishment, & positioning in the tower;
2014
– refurbishment of the piano;
– 1st phase of North Porch project;
2015
– completion of North Porch Project (with kitchenette, disabled toilet, storage areas, baby changing facilities & ramps for wheelchair use;
2016
– re-plastering & limewashing of lower walls in the Vestry and Nave;
– installation of a temporary ring main in the Nave;
– replacement of damaged/missing roof tiles, and repair of holes where the roof joins the tower walls;
– re-painting of gutters;
* Achieved by the ‘Sonsor a Step’ scheme. See list of sponsors & dedications in blue folder at the church information area.
2017
– further re-plastering followed by limewashing.
PROJECT LIST
Items in red are highest priorities
| Location | Work item | Cost estimate | Benefits |
|
Door from Nave to North Porch |
Repair & restore to English Heritage specifications, and fit a catch, handle etc. | Over £200 | Better ease of use, improved safety for users, and to conserve the door itself |
| North Porch – graveyard edge |
a) Cut metal piles down to ground level
b) Build a wall in front of piles |
£50
Over £300 |
Retention of earth and nearby grave(s) |
| Outside the West door and the walkway to the North Porch emergency door | Install paving | Improved safety, and to comply with Health & Safety legislation | |
| Tower – belfry louvres |
Replacement, plus (ideally) windows installed inside of them | Weatherproofing | |
| Tower – bottom door |
Re-hanging/resetting | Better ease of use, and to conserve it | |
| Tower – both upper rooms |
Install an access door to each | Improved safety &security, and to enable the rooms to be used | |
| Tower – ringing chamber |
Full clean-up | Nil (if done by volunteer working party) | Tidiness |
| Convert into an archive/museum room/project room with adequate lighting, sockets, furniture & storage cabinets | A facility for safely storing the church records & artefacts, and for housing Peldon History Project items (e.g. artefacts, documents, photographs etc.) | ||
| Outer walls | Re-point various gaps in the tower, buttresses, South Porch and Nave | £745
(possibly part-funded by grant) |
Stoppage of water ingress |
| West door – reinstatement as a working door and fire exit | Misc. work to make it it operate correctly.
Completion of lowering the outside earth mound, plus general landscaping. |
Improved safety and ease of use of the doorway as a whole.
A return to a private means of entry into the Vestry. |
|
| Nave and associated areas – floor | Complete replacement of flooring & supporting structure + incorporation of the 13 amp ring main |
Around £80,000 (preferably via funding bodies) | Improved safety & comfort, therefore enabling more and varied use of the church |
| Electrical wiring and fittings | Misc. work as detailed in the 2015 Electrical Report (not related to items replaced in 2011). | Limited deterioration & subsequent safety issues | |
| Boundary – south fences & gates |
Install new fence & gateposts, & rehang gates | Reinstatement of original boundary and improved tidiness | |
| Mower shed | Restore or replace | Improved security | |
| Elm trees | Remove dead ones | Improved safety |
