HOW WE ARE DOING!  Please click HERE to see how much money has been raised to date
 

I would like to report to you the findings of the architect with regard to the fabric of St Andrew’s Church and the implication that will have for the whole community for the next two to three years. The headlines from the architects report on the church are that he is recommending work that may cost a grand total of £238,000, funded in part by grants from English Heritage, and hopefully other grant making bodies.  Our grant application to English Heritage was submitted at the end of last month.  If English Heritage accepts our grant application then we might expect them to pay between 60% and 80% of the repair costs.  This means the parish will need to find either £48,000 or £95,000 over a period of two years.

In facing this challenge we have designated funds of £8,600 for fabric repairs which although is a good start, does mean that we will need an appeal.  I have asked the PCC at their last meeting to convene an appeal committee to address this challenge.  At this point I would like to invite other members of the community who have a love and appreciation of this historic Dales church, and can help the work of the committee to contact me, with any offers of help.  Obviously if you have any skills in fundraising this would be very useful.  If you would simply like to make a donation please send it to Mr Colin Brown (Treasurer) Dale View, Laning, Dent.  All donations should be made payable to “St Andrews Church Dent”.

So what needs doing to St Andrew’s Church? The architect has identified that the lead roof to the North Aisle needs replacing, that a considerable amount of re pointing needs to be done to the tower, east and west gable, South Aisle and Clerestory, porch and North Aisle. Extensive re plastering and re decoration to most of the interior of the church.  Treatment and replacement of the structural timbers in the North Aisle and the tower.

So you can see we have an enormous shopping list of repairs which will have to be prioritised.  If all goes well you might see scaffolding around the tower and north side of the church by the middle of next year.

The PCC has been inspired by the story of how the women of Dentdale faced a similar challenge in the 1950’s when the South Aisle roof had to be replaced.  They were most successful and we are confident that the goodwill of the community and your support will help us meet this new challenge.

Peter Boyles - Vicar

peterboyles@btinternet.com