Oh What a Lovely Tour!
By Diana MacNee and Linda Bennett
Diana and Linda here, sharing some reflections while exploring the developments of our Parish Church renovations during last Friday’s hard hat tour.
‘Wow, what a wonderful experience. The hard hat scaffolding tour exceeded expectations.
I was so concerned as to my ability to climb up all the ladders that I hadn’t thought much about what I might see.
The scaffolding platforms were wide and spacious, and I felt totally safe. It was then I began to see, touch and think about the building. The amount of new masonry was impressive. I instinctively wanted to touch both the old and new stone. As my hands ran across the stonework, I began to think about the people throughout the church history who carried out the building and repair work. How many died in the process? I felt overwhelmed and so thankful for those who came before in faith to build St. Mary’s. I touched things that I will never touch again. I would not have missed this experience for the world. Thank you to all who provided this experience and answered our questions. To see a stonemason at work and appreciate the skill and patience it takes to cut and fit new stones is something I will never forget.
Thank you. Diana.
I too share Diana’s exuberance, at seeing close up, the transformation of weather battered stonework and crumbling parapets, into the sleek lines of the restored arches, coping stones and pinnacles. It is so heart warming to think that the church is being looked after and nourished for current and future generations.
Church rain collecting buckets will be redundant, YAY, now large areas of the roof have been waterproofed. Contemporary material has been used with similar qualities to lead but less recycling value and hence a better theft deterrent.
Inside the church, repurposing projects are progressing. The Chancel, (raised area at the front of the church – even my vocabulary has been increased by the tour!) has been extended to better facilitate future concerts, orchestras and choirs.
As we progressed through the church we manoeuvred around steel girders delivered that morning, to be erected over the weekend as supports for the Thomas Magnus Room in the northwest area.
The new kitchen is taking shape opposite on the southwest aspect, and several boilers have been installed to service underfloor heating (more YAY for warmer winter services.)
Having a fear of heights I originally didn’t consider joining a tour, I am so glad I was persuaded to try it, as the extensive scaffolding removed that ‘close to the edge’ feeling. We were fortunate to have blue skies, and sunny calm climes, making it perfect conditions for grappling with ladders, and viewing the site work and surrounding vistas. The tour was fascinating on so many levels (literally!)
BIG thanks to Anna, site manager Lee & Sam for guiding us around the sites, and as Diana said, answering our questions. Also immense gratitude to Andrew Fearn for playing a huge role in making this reawakening project possible, and thanks to everyone else who has been involved in the scheme. Linda.