Works have been completed to rebuild the east window and re-render the chancel. Like many churches in East Anglia this church is built of rubble walling, but unusually the rubble walling at St Andrew’s comprises an ironstone, a hybrid conglomerate stone sometimes called Ferricrete. However, it is not quite the same as nearby carstone.
Unfortunately, as with most rubble walling, many of our churches have lost their traditional external plasters and as a result the fabric of the church is not adequately protected. An example of this is that we had to replace and rebuild the east window ahead of this project.
We were therefore able to persuade the Lay Rector, and the statutory bodies, that re-rendering was in the best interest to protect the fabric. It will also improve the internal environment for everyone using the church, and the Churchwarden has reported that heating costs have been reduced. Admittedly the appearance is a dramatic change, but it is more akin to what the church would have looked like; this is evidenced by surviving engravings.
A traditional hot lime render was used and then limewashed. All the masonry was cleaned of all the moss and lichen, and masonry and conservation repairs to the windows was carried out.
Unfortunately, we were not able to persuade the DAC of the merits of limewashing the window masonry as well, as I believe we should have. Nevertheless, the PCC are very pleased with the result and are now inspired to re-render the rest of the church – as is sorely needed.
St Andrew’s is Grade I listed, and has a very impressive Norman round tower.
