Event Reports of the 'Raising the Roof'
Committee
Dent Church Appeal News
June 2008
We are very grateful to David O’Brien for
providing a very clear overview with regard to the Appeal and the St
Andrews Church restoration project:
At the end of 2007 it was learnt that the
application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund to repair the north
aisle roof had been successful. In the first four months of 2008 our
architect John Barnes has driven forward detailed investigations into
the structure and weatherproofing of the whole building.
To our surprise the Victorian top water
drains to the south and north of the church are in good order. It was no
surprise that other aspects of the building are in a worse condition.
More dry rot was found to be starting in the laths of the north aisle
roof. The whole of that ceiling has to be taken out and replaced (with
ventilation to the underside of the outer covering). The structural
frame at the top of the bell tower is seriously rotten. Some of the
timbers appear sound at the surface but are rotted from the wall side to
within 2” of the outer surface. The whole frame and the woodwork in
which the six bells are hung have to be stripped out and replaced. The
tower walls will have to be tied to prevent any outward spread of the
walls and ultimate collapse of the tower.
To replace the north aisle roof the organ
will have to be dismantled, parts stored, and completely rebuilt when
the major works are finished. In the tower the bells will have to be
lowered and the clock and its mechanism removed. This is in addition to
the work that was anticipated: picking out cement pointing from exterior
walls, chipping off cement plaster on interior walls, and re-pointing
and re-plastering with lime mortar. Scaffolding will be erected inside
and outside the church.
It is expected the works will be started
in March 2009 and take three months to complete. The church will be
closed for the duration. The congregation and visitors will be invited
to worship at St John’s, Cowgill, (the church patronised by Dent’s
famous ancestor, Adam Sedgwick), four miles up the dale.
While these investigations into the
building have been going on the PCC Appeals Committee has initiated a
flurry of support and events. In the first three months the Committee
has raised funds to add to the initial Heritage Lottery grant of
£168,000 to bring the appeal just short of £190,000. The target of
£300,000 is still a long way over the horizon.
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OPEN GARDENS IN DENTDALE
Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th May 2008
| Why
go abroad when we experience weather like we did for the Open
Gardens in Dentdale, 7th and 8th of June 2008?
Hundreds of locals and visitors experienced a wonderful display of
gardens, even though we have more than our fair share of rain during
the year, this weekend with blue skies, warm welcomes in all the 24
Open Gardens; some with cream teas and others with plants for sale
and even ‘Pims on the lawn’, helped to raise £2000 towards the
restoration needed in St Andrew’s Church Dent. |
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A
big Thank you to Stramongate Press for printing the
delightful Passports, and to everyone involved. |
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DENTDALE
MEMORIES
Local people & families
Dentdale Heritage Film
Saturday 10th May 2008
The ‘Raising the Roof’ committee were delighted at the response of well
over 150 people, local and visitors who attended two showings of the new
Dentdale Heritage Film on Saturday 10th May 2008, at 2pm and
again at 7pm in St. Andrew’s Church Dent. Margaret and Jim Taylor gave
permission for the viewing of this fascinating historical film of
Dentdale, produced by Jim Bowness and narrated by his wife Pam. The film
can now be viewed in The Heritage Centre, The Laning, Dent
Admission was by donation and delicatessens were on sale at the back of
the church; all produce being locally made.
What a successful day, raising approximately £900 for the church roof,
which is due to cost £240,000. Without the help of local folk such
wonderful events would never take place.
The ‘Raising the Roof’ committee wishes to sincerely thank everyone
involved.
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May Day Ceildhi
Saturday 3rd May 2008
Over 100 people thoroughly enjoyed the Sheffield Morris Band who played
from 8pm to midnight and many people danced all night. It was great to
see so many folk having an old fashioned night out.
The Bar run by Christine and Keith Burrow was a real success, and there
was too much food for people to eat. What with the raffle and the
auction of a phone camera worth £150, donated by Mr. Mike Glenn and the
Lakeland Plastics donation of a great bicycle picnic bag we raised £769!
This fundraising is turning out to be something that is bringing the
village and its visitors closer together.
Check the website and adverts for further events and come and join us in
this beautiful part of the world, where you will find a warm welcome.
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Pace Eggs at Easter
Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008
The church became a real hive of activity on Easter
Sunday when we held the Pace Egg competition. Children and adults took
part, locals and many visitors from the High Laning camp site and Condor
farm, even some doing B&B. A great response! The event raised £240 for
our Raising the Roof appeal.
For More Photographs -
Please Click HERE
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Photo available shortly
The
photograph showing Revd. S.G.Bennett on the copper roof in 1951 shows
the last time there was a need for serious attention to the church roof.
This time the costs are £238,000 and the appeal is to raise £60,000 to
secure our Grade 1 listed church for future generations of Dentdale folk
and visitors. Every little help is most welcome.
Please Click HERE to see the progress of the
Appeal Fund |
