A Busy Spring at St Mary’s: From Hidden Art to New Adventures
29 April 2025 08:53
Spring has brought energy and excitement to St Mary’s, with major restoration milestones and community plans coming together!
Inside the Church: Progress and Discoveries
March and April have been busy months, both inside St Mary’s Church as restoration work continues, and for the project team as they prepare for the first big community event of the year.
In March, all the underfloor heating and electrical wiring were completed, followed by the final layer of limecrete, creating a smooth new floor. The first section of bricks has been laid towards the back of the church and into the new kitchen area.
Scaffolding has also been erected — reaching three storeys high up to the roof — to enable the protection of ancient wall paintings and repairs to cracked walls. Following these repairs, the entire church will be redecorated, so the scaffolding will be in place for some time!
It has been fascinating to see the gargoyles and intricate woodwork up close for the first time.
Another section of historic wall art was uncovered, leading us to wonder what other treasures might lie hidden beneath the surface layers. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, new units have arrived and are being assembled.
Outside the Church: Preparing for the Future
Outside the church, a large hole has been excavated ready for the installation of the LPG tank, which will fuel the new heating system. A trench has been dug from the tank area around to the boiler house, where an impressive display of pipework, switches, and dials is now in place, ready for when the gas is finally connected.
Large wall radiators have also been delivered and will be fixed to the walls once redecoration is complete.
In the Community: Sharing Stories and Creativity
Out in the community, March also saw the project team spending a week at Stebbing Primary School, delivering workshops and guided village walks, weaving together the stories of St Mary’s with creative art activities. It was a thoroughly enjoyable time for both students and the project team!
Looking Ahead: Our First Big Community Event
In April, preparations ramped up for the first major community event of the year, taking place in early May. With the church currently closed, the event will be held on the field next to the church car park and across the road in Priors Hall Barn.
The Springtime Spectacular will feature a wonderful range of activities, from archery to crafting bespoke herbal remedies, from badge making to planting edible plants, and from baking to more badge making!
