Our contractors, Maysand Ltd. have started work on the Heritage Funded project and are erecting scaffolding to access the East window for full restoration. They will repair the stone tracery in preparation for Lightfoots to replace the remaining original leaded and stained glass, and ‘fill in the gaps’ with new as close as possible to the original that has been lost.
Research
Work is continuing on the research side, with five archive boxes sifted through in Stockport Library, and several local newspapers viewed on microfilm. Interestingly, there was hardly any mention of the World War II blitz bomb damage in December 1940. Presumably this is because it was caused by the explosion from Heaton Norris Goods Yard, and our authorities would not like ‘Jerry’ to know that such a strategic target had been hit, so limited what could be reported. Morale would also have been a factor, and with other local areas hit, including homes, the press focus was on how the enemy had targeted innocent civillians. This would generate feelings of anger and support for the war, instead of despair and a wish to surrender.
In the archive boxes at Stockport library were some lovely little yearbooks, and a few minute books too, which took some time to read through, but provided a unique glimpse into the general running of the Church in the late 1800’s.
Heritage Open Days
Although work won’t be completed by September, the folks at Maysand have kindly offered to conduct a limited number of tours of the work in progress so you can see for yourselves what is going on from the inside, and hear about the plans for the future. No date has been set yet, but we’ll announce on here when tickets are available. Subscribers to our news updates will get advance notification if possible.
Thanks again folks for your interest and support, it’s good to finally see work in progress!
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