New Mills Church

The Preservation of Our Heritage for Future Generations.

ROOF UPDATE - MAY 2009

Over the next few weeks various things will be happening with regard to the roof and spire. As we are still at the ‘planning’ stage, most of them are in the nature of surveys, and so far we are in the process of commissioning: a Bat survey (in case any bats are roosting in areas where work is needed), an Asbestos survey (for the health and safety of contractors), a Cast-Iron Rainwater Goods survey (with a view to replacing the plastic gutters and downpipes with cast-iron to match those at roof level, and to repair/replace those that need it). Lastly we are also commissioning an electrical survey of the church as a whole to comply with NICEIC regulations. Most of these surveys will go un-noticed – there won’t be scaffolding up for example – but do please assure people that things are happening!

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St. Georges was built between 1829 and 1831 on land donated by Lord George Cavendish, it was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Coventry on the 25th July 1831. At that time it formed part of the Parish of Glossop, in 1841 New Mills became an ecclesiastical parish and St. Georges became the Parish Church.

Over its 177 years of history the church has been lovingly cared for by the parishoners and wider community of the local area, all necessary repairs have been executed by funding from the congregation and fund raising events, that is until now.

We were informed after a recent inspection by our architect that considerable deteroration had taken place in the roof void, water had penetrated through the roof and wet rot had occured in many areas especially in the East and South East corner. Furthur more, rain water is penetrating at the very top of the spire under the weather vane, whilst doing the bell frame no good, it has rendered the Coronation Clock inoperable.

Remedial work has already been carried out to make the body of the church watertight, but the problem of rotted timbers and steeple remain. You will no doubt appreciate that work carried out at a high level is very costly. We are reliably told that the cost will be around £180K, which is way beyond the present congregation who manfully keep the church open for the use of all.

We are actively seeking grants from Charities and of course organising many social and fundraising events for this appeal.

We do hope you will feel willing and able to make a donation towards these necessary substantial repairs and so keep this Grade II listed, Parish Church open to serve the community for generations to come. In February 2007 the Parochial Church Council put in hand with architect all necessary preparatory work which needs to be completed before any work can commence on the repair.

Thankyou for reading this appeal.

To download a donation form please click here.