a) In October 2018,  thieves stole more than half of the lead covering from the south aisle roof.  (See News Item on the home page).  The replacement material being used is zinc, in order to reduce the risk of further theft.  When the theft was discovered,  the Fishlake PCC decided to explore alternatives for replacement that would prove less attractive to opportunist theft.  As the Church had already eight years earlier proceeded to re-cover the chancel roof with stainless steel, it was possible to make a close comparison between the relative performances of lead verses stainless steel.   Observing the challenges emerging over time from the use of stainless steel, and the current reported issues with quality, following a suggestion by Architects Purcell and after a great deal of research, the Fishlake PCC took the innovative decision to seek permission to replace the lead with a less valuable but extremely durable flexible material - namely zinc.

Zinc has been used for roofing in the UK since 1850 and, to give an example of its wider use, circa 70% of the roofing material used in the wider EU is zinc.  Working with Architects Purcell, a design was prepared and approval sought from the Sheffield DAC, Historic England, the CBC (Church  Building Council), ChurchCare, insurance Brokers Trinitas and insurers Aviva, the local Council and other advisory bodies and finally granted in the Autumn of 2019.  As it is essential that zinc is laid on a dry substrate, a plan was prepared to proceed in the Spring of 2020.

As many will recall, Fishlake village was disastrously flooded in November 2019, the wider impact of which delayed the commencement of the project.  The Covid19 Pandemic lead to further delays and the PCC is delighted to be able to report that works started on June 22nd, and is expect to last for up to eight weeks.

The material being used is VMZincPlus Quartz, a variant of the comprehensive range offered by VM Building Solutions Ltd.  VMZincPlus Quartz has a factory applied protective covering on the underside enhancing the prospective life of a new roof covering.  Our research uncovered examples of zinc covered roofs that have been in situ for over 200 years, so a conservative life estimate of 100 years is a reasonable assessment.

Zinc being a highly malleable material facilitates installation and simplifies site-work.  In the Fishlake installation, rather than the standing seam often used with stainless steel, the joints between sheets will be batten cap rolls, mirroring the existing lead work on the nave and north aisle roof coverings.

VM Building Solutions Ltd offer a 30 year warranty on work carried out by contractors certified to install VMZinc products.  For the Fishlake contract,  the VM Building Solutions' certified contractors CEL Roofing of Whittlesey, Peterborough, prior to installation on site, will be preparing sections in their factory minimising on-site activity around this historic building.

b) The Church's famed Romanesque South Doorway Architecture is in need of urgent conservation in order to arrest the historic and current  levels of stone deterioration.  A mini-conference held at Fishlake in June 2017 led by Purcell Architects began the process of exploring viable ways of conserving very old magnesian limestone sculptures.   The result of the conference is that after fundraising to cover the costs of an extensive carefully structured consultation, a report will be published with a view to establishing a standard procedure.    Fishlake St. Cuthbert is extremely grateful for a grant from the the Church Buildings Council (financially supported by the Pilgrim Trust) towards the £30,000 cost of this important report.

c) The west facing central pinnacle has been found to be loose and needs to be stabilised.  There is evidence that the opposing east facing central pinnacle is also at risk of becoming loose and also needs to be stabilised.  The current activity is based around finding a viable low cost way to stabilise both without engaging in the dismantling of either.

d) The Church surface water drainage system was apparently modified in the mid-19th Century and is considered today to be wholly inadequate for a building of this size.   The problems with the historic drainage were compounded by mid-20th Century alterations to local drainage systems and, as a result, the Church has to find a new and viable way to drain water away from the building.   After mapping as far as possible the existing system, the next step is for more digging of trial holes, in order to find the track the failed drains.

e) The Church heating system has to be replaced as, the present system, installed in 1901, is incapable of heating the building in all but mild weather.   The historically naturally high water table has led over time to damp conditions and, although pumping at a nearby coal  mine did contribute to lowering the local water table, since that mine has closed, over the next few years the local water table is likely to rise once more.   The current assessment of the degree of excavation required for a traditional below floor level piped system is that it would not be acceptable in a Grade 1 listed building, and require a substantial re-ordering of the Church.  Similarly, the potentially future damp ground conditions may not suit an underfloor system, hence discussions with heating and consulting engineers and architects remain ongoing.

f) The PCC remains committed to fund raising the considerable sums required to restore the bells and bell-frame, clock room, clock face and drive system.   An outline of a practical scheme has been prepared and first-off quotations are now in hand.  The next step is for funds to be raised to cover formal design costs and active fund raising is expected to begin early in the new year.  The bell frame, which contains a ring of 6 (the oldest dating from the 15th century) is decayed, loose and the bells cannot be safely rung and are out of action.  The outline plan is to create a new composite bell and clock chamber, located between the existing bell chamber and clock chamber floors.  The concept is designed to provide a firm foundation for a new steel bell frame and to include the clock case and mechanisms and, at the same time, support the ancient clock chamber floor below and old bell chamber frame above for posterity. 

The Fishlake PCC regard the challenge of caring for this very fine old Grade 1 Listed Major Parish Church to be both a privilege and a substantial responsibility, and all offers of funding  support for restoration will be very gratefully received.