A rural church on the Isle of Wight is facing a challenge to raise £100,000 as it looks to repair its severely water-damaged tower.
The community at All Saints Church, in Newchurch, has already had to stabilise its church tower, using a metal framework, as it was in danger of falling over.
Now, more work is needed as its wooden church tower has suffered water ingress and wear and tear. The weatherboarding needs to be replaced as sections are rotting.
Work will begin once planning permission from the Isle of Wight Council has been granted and £100,000 raised.
Clive Allen, a churchwarden at All Saints, said the wooden tower was almost certainly unique on the Island and if it wasn’t there, people would miss it, as it is a symbol of Newchurch.
The church has been standing for nearly 1,000 years, serving the village since 1086.
The first phase of work, which cost £42,000, ‘cleaned the church out’ Reverend Kath Abbott said, so the church is looking for grants, fundraising opportunities and donations to fund the further necessary work.
Mr Allen said there was still a huge task ahead of them with an awful lot of work involved.
Every few years the church has to paint the weatherboarding white to maintain its landmark look but to cut the big expense in the future it is proposed, when the waterboarding is replaced, it will not be painted.
Instead, the wood will silver with age and save the church about £15,000 every four to five years, stopping the legacy of the community constantly repairing and painting the tower, Rev. Abbott said.
There is also a question about whether the church tower has always been white, Mr Allen raised.
He said it certainly has been in living memory and in Victorian photos it looks to be but in engravings from the early 19th Century, it is hard to tell.
To raise funds the church will be holding a coronation breakfast on Monday, May 6.
Comments on the planning application have now closed but you can view the plans, 23/00187/FUL, on the Isle of Wight council’s planning register.
Last year the church also suffered damage during Storm Eunice, when its weather vane was blown down.
Donations can be made to the church or via its Just Giving page.
Engine Problems Lead To Yarmouth RNLI Callout To Osborne Bay
Ryde Academy Students Donate To Two Worthy Causes At Christmas
Road Improvement Works To Get Underway From The Very Start Of The New Year
Isle of Wight Youth Trust Benefits From Big Give Support
Council Chair 'Furious' Over Floating Bridge Replacement Fiasco
Fire Service Travel To Island Contributes To Huge Budget Overspend
Department Approaching Completion In Ryde As Opening Date Announced
Guidance Issued Over Sharps Disposal As Waste Teams At Risk
Police Warnings Over E-Scooters Ahead Of Christmas Day
Controversial Freshwater Housing Proposal Turned Down
Rare Mantis Shrimp Discovery Made In Waters Off Isle Of Wight
Man In 50s Confirmed Dead Following Newport Crash
Pedestrian In Hospital With Serious Injuries Following Early Morning Motorcycle Crash
Cowes Stately Home To Have Facilities Upgraded As Part Of Approved Renovation
Ofsted Deliver Glowing Report For 'Welcoming' And 'Highly Ambitious' Island Primary School
Help Available For Islanders To Cut Energy Bills
Cowes Lifeboat Performs Mid-Solent Rescue Of Fishing Boat
Christmas Shopping With A Difference In Ryde – Half A Mile Out To Sea!
Home-From-Home' Nursery Given 'Outstanding' Ofsted Grade
