MAJOR ROOF REPAIRS TO ST MARGARET’S CHURCH, NORTHAM 2018-2026

Grade 1 Listed St Margaret’s Church Northam, which dates from approximately 1250, has finally seen the completion of repairs and re-slating of the complete church roof. The church was placed on the At-Risk Register by English Heritage in 2014 because of substantial problems with the fabric of the roofs, leadwork, masonry and internal plastered ceilings, with the likelihood of further deterioration and damage to the interior heritage if repairs were not carried out.

Raising the considerable sum required for this work took some time, and it was decided to carry out the repairs in two phases, starting with the main roofs, followed by the East roofs as a second phase. Funding for Phase 1 was achieved thanks considerably to the National Lottery (Heritage Fund) generously providing a large grant enabling the work to start in 2018 and was completed in 2020 in spite of problems in obtaining appropriate slates and coping with Covid. Fundraising for Phase 2 was once again considerably helped with the National Lottery (Heritage Fund) stepping in with a second large grant. The completion of the overall project should ensure that the church remains weather proof and warm for the next few generations of worshippers and visitors to enjoy.

A photographic record was made of the whole project by a member of the congregation, Frank Branch, consisting of some 900 photos for Phase 1 and approximately 200 photos for Phase 2.

A copy of this record was recently presented to Kate Harrison, Chair of the Bideford and District Archive by Catherine Ellis, Churchwarden and Anne Irwin, Roof Project Leader (see picture). Catherine Ellis said, “We hope that this record of major work to an important building and community asset in Northam will ensure not only its safekeeping but also make it available to interested parties in the future.”