Recent Projects 

Grade 1 listed St Leonard’s was threatened with closure and was placed on Historic England’s “Heritage at Risk” register in the most serious category.

However, renewal of the nave roof is now complete, thanks to funding from the National Lottery, alongside a major local fund raising campaign and with a significant contribution from FoSL.

FoSL funds have also largely paid for the renovation and retuning of the church bells (approximately £50,000 ) which hadn’t been maintained for a century. Funding was also provided for a modern sound system and a hearing loop.

Future Projects and Regular Maintenance

Damp has penetrated over the years and threatened the important 13th and 15th century wall paintings.  Now that the roof and windows are fixed and a new boiler (funded by FoSL) is keeping the climate inside the building more stable, it’s hoped that the future of the wall paintings is secure. It costs £6000 a year to pay for the extra energy bills involved.

Many other parts of the church will need restoration by specialist craftsmen. The vestry roof leaks and work is needed on the buttresses.

St Leonard’s has suffered from hundreds of years of neglect and consequent recurrent crises. Now that the urgent works have been carried out, regular planned maintenance is the solution to preventing crises in the future. It’s estimated to cost £35000 a year for this routine maintenance.

Previously Funded:

The Friends have supported a variety of projects such as the restoration of the tower and the overhaul of the roof. In the ten years from 2007 to 2017 the Friends contributed nearly £100,000 to help fund repairs at St Leonard’s.

Major grants have been made for the restoration of the north clerestory windows and adjoining walls totalling £87,000. Other Friends’ grants included £6,600 to pay for repairs to the copper covering of the nave roof, £3,500 for the repair of the south aisle roof and lead flashing and £1,000 towards repairs to the tower clock..

In 2017 the Friends committed £6,000 to the funding of the detailed survey of the roof recently carried out by the church’s architect and expert advisors.

FoSL has contributed well over £100,000 to the EU LEADER project, to the acquisition of a fine, modern pipe organ, and to other modernisation projects. The LEADER project has transformed the church with essential modern facilities: running water, a kitchen, WC, meeting and ringing rooms, and step-free access.