Thursday, 29th November - be aware!

A warning on the local radio this week is to be alert for anyone stealing metal of any kind. This follows an incident where a young man was seriously electrocuted trying to steal copper from a sub-station recently. Since the theft of the lead from St Mary's Church roof, we all need to keep an eye out in case they return. They will find more than they bargained for this time, however, but please help us by being watchful.

Grading of the path from the road has been done now, ready for the tarmac coat, and the lych gate arch is yet to be replaced.

Work is taking place to start clearing the contractor's compound. The churchyard will look a little untidy until the grass grows back next spring, but will be having some TLC from our churchyard volunteers once the project is finished.

Wednesday, 28th November - Countdown time.

The pulpit is now back in place, ready for the audio wiring and hearing loop to be laid and connected. It's structure was checked before it was re-installed.

Work is continuing on the tea bar and toilet area. The internal walls have been plastered and the tea bar and toilet are being fitted out. The balustrade is now in place, but incomplete.

The internal door has already been shortened, and the external door has been removed for shortening today, to accommodate the new floor level. It will be rehung by the end of the day to ensure the church is secured overnight.

Some of the original tiles have been used in the entrance, around and inside the tea bar, lobby and toilet areas. Recycled blown glass was used for the sub floor and the floor timber is from sustainable forests.

Monday, 26th November - Still on time!

The road works signs were removed today and Main St is back to normal. Tarmac will be put down on the disturbed sections of the path and also at the Station Road entrance to improve the level of the surface for disability access. The old gate post will be removed as it has rotted away, and it will give a slightly wider access.

Fitting out the tea-bar and the toilet will begin this week. The tea-bar will have work surfaces along three sides - one for serving through the hatch, one for the sinks and one for preparation.

The new audio system is being linked up and the new Hearing Loop will be installed later this week

The pulpit is to be placed back in its original location this week.

The oak panelling has now been placed on both sides of the enclosed area and will be finished to match the oak screen in the bell tower.

Saturday, 24th November - New tarmac

The trench has been backfilled and the footpath and road have been re-covered with tarmac. The road works signage will be removed on Monday.

Further tarmac will be placed on the sections of the church path which have been disturbed, especially at the entrance of the church where the section between the inner and outer doors meets the entrance of the church and the new floor level inside.

Adjustments are being made to the church path for a graduated slope now the step has been removed for practical purposes. This will make a smooth path all the way from the road to the church door.

Please note! This does NOT mean that the slope is suitable for disability access. The entrance on Station Road will remain the correct entrance to use.

The contractor is working today and plans to complete installation of the wood floor by Tuesday. Currently, the south section is being worked on, but the nave and bell tower have been laid.

On Friday, the walls in the tea-bar and the lobby/toilet wall were being installed. Small windows will be placed in both the tea-bar and toilet to block off where their walls overlap the church exterior window.

Thursday, 22nd November - Taking shape

The tea-bar and lobby are beginning to take shape now the beautiful, exterior panelling has been installed on the south side. The lobby door has panelling, creating a 'false' door, which matches the rest of the wall, and leads to the toilet.

Work has begun on placing the new oak floor on top of the under floor heating system. Each board is placed separately with a small space between each one allowing for movement, then fixed down.

Severn Trent will be inspecting the finished drainage connection today, after which the trench can be back-filled, and Main Street can get back to normal.

Unfortunately, during excavation, it was necessary to remove the lych gate after all, due to the equipment not being able to work over or through it. However, it will be put back in place, along with the gate when work is finished. Tomorrow, there are plans for tarmac to be laid to finish the surface.

Tuesday, 20th November - laying the timber floor

The under floor heating has been on, helping to thoroughly dry out the floor and testing the system.


The oak timber for the floor is being delivered today and work will start laying it.





The tiling and initial boxing in of the tea bar and lobby are being finished today.

Work continues on the drainage throughout this week until Severn Trent inspects it.

Monday, 19th November - Fitting the screen

Today work has begun on fitting the arch of the new screen which will match the one in the bell tower. The tea-bar and toilet walls are also being put in while the tiling is being finished.

The oak exterior timber to the tea-bar and toilet has been delivered and will be put up this week. This will indicate what the finished product will look like.

At last the final work on the drainage is being done, so outside the church on Main Street, there are some minor roadworks this week. Please be aware that the roadworks are three-way to include Station Road with both directions on Main St.