Brightlingsea folk have have rallied round to help provide the funds required to replace the rotten beam supporting the tower roof at All Saints’ Church.
The rot (pictured below) was discovered during restoration work on the 13thC tower – an unexpected find that meant the Friends of All Saints’ were faced with additional expenditure of £70,000.
However, the National Heritage Lottery Fund, which provided the original £500,000 funding, has now promised more money and the generosity of the local community, combined with support from national church trusts means that the Friend’s Beam Appeal is short of just a few thousand pounds.
The appeal has so far raised over £16,000 and there has been enough money to get a new 7m-long oak ridge beam fitted – meaning that the re-opening of the church has been scheduled for the end of August.
The restoration has seen over 280 stones used to repalr or replace ancient pinnacles, buttresses, louvres, plinths, and lattices. A new equal-access WC and kitchenette has also been added to the church.
The Friends have a Just Giving page for donations – https://www.justgiving.com/friendsofallsaintsbrightlingsea – and personal donations can be made to the Friends of All Saints (charity no. 260143) c/o Elizabeth Foss-Smith, 16 Regent Road, Brightlingsea marked “Tower Appeal”.
