Diocesan architect Richard Andrews, and master mason Elliott Brotherton visited St Mary’s church on June 18 to inspect the condition of the stonework at the west end.
This follows falling masonry on March 29, when a Rye resident was very nearly struck as he was crossing the churchyard, as reported in Rye News.
The meeting had been convened by Parochial Church Council (PCC) chairman, Simon Compton, who was concerned at the possible risk of further falls. Using a high-lift cherry-picker, the base of the destroyed finial was examined and also the matching one on the southern turret. The indication was that the Victorian restorers had used iron or steel fixing rods which had become rust-corroded, expanding under pressure to fracture the stonework. This had occurred without prior warning.
The cherry-picker was then re-positioned at the east end, so that the buttresses could be checked, but no serious deterioration of the fabric was evident there, according to Church Surveyor, John Gurney. He shared his concern, however, that the public were able to pass very close to the 900 year-old structure, without appreciating their potential risk.
The Diocesan architect was somewhat reassuring though, advising that no immediate danger was likely and that the protective tapes barring public entry to part of the churchyard could now be removed.
The general condition of the building will be reviewed by the PCC in the light of the new Quinquennial Survey Report, due to be issued shortly. Simon Compton said that all the recommendations in the previous report five years ago had been addressed at a cost of some £35,000. The upkeep of the building would always prove enormously expensive and donations to the building fund are greatly welcome.
Photos: Kenneth Bird