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Minster repair finish on time




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Major repairs to Southwell Minster’s central tower have been completed on time and cost several thousand pounds less than expected.

The £600,000 project included repairs to stonework and a new lead roof on the square tower, which dates to the 12th Century.

The work, which took seven months, was the single largest restoration of the building since the mid-1800s.

The repairs finished in time for Easter as planned but some scaffolding will remain in place until next week because recent high winds meant it was unsafe to remove it.

State-of-the-art digital photographs of the tower revealed weathered masonry, plant growth in cracks and damp where asphalt had leaked.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Rev John Guille, said it was remarkable that such a large project finished on time and under budget.

He said the tower looked fantastic and he praised the contractors for the work.

The dean said only the Mansfield stone that could not be repaired had been replaced.

He said: “The stonemasons try not to touch what they do not have to.”

He said it was particularly pleasing that the work had been finished during this year, which is the 900th anniversary of the church as we see it today.

A series of events are planned to mark the anniversary.

The dean said there were plans for a service of thanksgiving in the autumn to mark the completion of the work and the 900 years.

Mr David Sherriff, the project architect, said it was a great example of good teamwork and everyone wanting to do something properly.

He said it was hoped to replace only three ball finials on the roof but the fourth one also needed to be replaced.

The cost of the scaffolding was about £60,000 so additional general maintenance jobs were done while the scaffolding was there.

It included renewing rainwater chutes, providing a new lightning conductor, repainting and gilding the clock face, updating pigeon deterrents and gilding the weather vane. The flagpole, which is an old ship’s mast dating from the late 19th Century, was repainted.

New railings were installed to the parapet of the roof.

The foreman, Mr Robbie Blowers, from the main contractors, E. Bowman and Son Ltd, of Stamford, said the work went well.

He said the temporary roof constructed over scaffolding that went beyond the flagpole at the top of the 110ft tower had kept the rain out and enabled them to continue working.

The minster’s director of fundraising, Mr Charlie Leggatt, said: “This has been the most heartening and uplifting fundraising project of my career.

“The affection with which Southwell Minster is held is truly humbling.

“National grant-making charitable trusts fully appreciated the importance of the building and were delighted to help us.

“Locally, the enthusiasm of the Friends of Southwell Cathedral and others ensured a successful campaign. We are immensely grateful to all involved.”

A grant-making charity, the Wolfson Foundation, acting with English Heritage, gave £250,000.

The rest of the money came from other charitable trusts including the Friends of Southwell Cathedral, the Chimes Trust, and the Simmons Trust, as well as private donations.



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