From Outside to Inside, St Stephen’s Church, Cinderford, Glos

This project includes:

• Re-routing and re-leading the Vestry Roof gulley – the water currently sits in the gulley and subsequently seeps into the stonework – this will require a chimney to be removed, and remedial stonework
• Re-plastering the damaged Vestry walls
• Re-plastering the East wall behind the altar

With the church now almost water-tight, focus will largely be on the internal repairs, hence the title “From Outside to Inside”. The last major external work is on the Vestry roof, where the gulley for the rainwater run off currently collects water rather than dispersing it. To rectify this and improve access/maintenance, a redundant chimney needs taking down, the gulley needs re-routing, and a hole needs to be made through the stonework enabling the water to exit directly into a new hopper. This work will require external scaffolding. Whilst work is going on outside, it is hoped that the internal re-plastering will commence on the East wall behind the Altar and the very badly damaged Vestry walls. The scaffolding for the internal work will be erected in such a way that services and activities can continue, and some other high-level maintenance undertaken.

The public can access activities at the church. There is no ‘membership’, all are welcome, and it costs nothing. The only restrictions are weddings, christenings, some funerals and the occasional one off non-church concert. There is a website, but advertising activities is through Facebook and a pavement A-frame poster on the day. To use the facilities people, contact the Volunteer Administrator. This year the church is running free Tuesday morning holiday clubs for families in need – they get a free breakfast and activities.