Members of the Westerham community will have noticed that St Mary’s church gates have been replaced.The previous gates, installed in the late 1990s, were in a dismal state. They also presented a risk to users attempting to open them, for weddings and funerals for example. Once we agreed that the gates needed to be replaced, we followed the usual procedures required when making significant changes to any physical features of the church, including a public consultation and several rounds of Diocesan review and approvals of the design and plans. Some people in the community, mistakenly thinking that the gates were of particular significance, asked us to repair or restore them. We sought independent expert advice which confirmed that they are beyond their serviceable life.Our new gates reflect the heritage of St Mary’s. The church was extensively rebuilt in the late 19th century and the new design features lattice work reminiscent of the gates we had around that time – shown in the attached archive photo - softened with curves echoing both the gates they replace and the architecture of the building. Their lighter, more open design will be better for users and gives greater visual access to the churchyard, particularly for youngsters and wheelchair users. The new gates are being constructed by expert craftsmen using sustainably sourced airdried oak and traditional techniques that are recommended for maximizing their lifespan. The decorative metalwork will be saved and used on the new gates.We are immensely grateful to all the members of the wider Westerham community who have supported the project in the last few months with personal donations, and we have also been fortunate to secure several grants. This means that the entire cost of the replacement project has been met without diverting money from any other deserving local causes.We hope that the new gates will enhance the appearance of the churchyard entrance for all the people of Westerham and for all the visitors who pass by every day, for many years to come.
