The National Churches Trust has contributed 3,000 towardsthe cost of creating a new access to the roof of the tower of the Church of StJohn the Baptist. The old access did notmeet modern safety standards and its replacement now allows safe access forregular checking of the condition of the roof, the testing of the lighteningconductors and the flying of the Diocesan Flag at festivals and nationaloccasions.
A safety risk assessment of the previous access arrangement drewattention to the need to approach the ladder across the relatively narrow bellframe with the risk of falling into the bell pit. The hatch leading on to the roof was difficultto open.The annual inspection/test ofthe lightening protection system had been unable to proceed and regularinspection of the condition of the roof was not possible. These inspections are vital to ensure that thecondition of the C15th tower and belfry is not allowed to deteriorate and thatit is protected from lightening strikes.
The Revd Wyn Beynon said: It is important that the church is at thecentre of a community and the ability to signal that by flying a flag onimportant feast days, is part of that, whether people attend regularly or not. We have valued the support of the National ChurchesTrust in making this possible again in Feckenham.
The oldest part of Feckenham church is the north aisle whichis C13th with the remainder reconstructed in Victorian time.For some 700 years it has been an activecentre for worship, weddings, funerals and community activity which continueswith concerts, coffee mornings and other events.
Although not a maintenance issue, safe access to the towerroof now allows the Diocesan flag to be flown from flagpole on the roof onspecial occasions.
The new access was designed by Mark Evans Architects Ltd andcomprises a new ladder in the tower bell chamber giving access to a raisedplatform from which the new roof hatch fitted with gas struts can be safelyopened.The main contractor was D A Cook(Builders) Ltd. of Winchcombe.The totalcost of the project has been 10,500 including fees and VAT to which theNational Trust has contributed 3,000.
