It has taken six long years, tens of thousands of pounds and countless fundraising initiatives.
But the finishing touches to urgent repairs at a south Norfolk church have been completed – finally taking the building off Historic England's ‘at risk’ register.
In 2017, All Saints Church in Old Buckenham, near Attleborough, began raising money to rethatch its entire roof.
It came about following a 2015 quinquennial inspection and subsequent specialist report that indicated a complete rethatching and repairs to timber work was essential.
Now, the people behind the project are finally able to celebrate the completion of the Raise the Roof project.
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Alison Hannah, the parochial church council’s (PCC) secretary and project lead, said: "It was important to engage the community with the amazing heritage represented by our Grade I listed building.
"Our hope is that many more people now know about this precious building, which has been saved for future generations to enjoy."
Work to the chancel roof was deemed urgent and, after a successful appeal for local support, the PCC formed the ‘Raise the Roof’ group, with a focus on the nave.
A bid for a significant grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was put together, and in March 2019, just after completing the chancel roof, they were given the news that it had been successful.
The grant offered 70pc of the total nave costs, which was estimated to cost up to £96,000.
The group was also awarded a grant from the National Churches Trust before they set about fundraising for the rest.
It has been hoped that the project would be completed by the summer of 2020, but it was delayed by Covid-19.
Several fundraising activities have also been undertaken to raise funds including walks and talks, school visits, a detective trail, and publication of a revised church history book and sensory guide.
A celebration event took place earlier this month.
OLD BUCKENHAM
The village had an important position from the 12th to the 16th centuries, with the remains and ruins of two castles and an Augustinian Priory found within the parish boundary.
The church itself is Grade I listed, with some evidence of Saxon and certainly early Norman features.
It has an 12th century nave, a 15th century porch and a 12th to 14th century full height octagonal tower housing six bells.
The 14th century north aisle contains a fine Norman doorway, moved from a previous position in the church. There is a traditional reed thatched roof across both the nave and chancel.
The windows contain some important 15th century stained and painted glass.
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