Emergency repairs were needed to the north nave roof slope at All Saints Church Buncton where three sections of Horsham stone had slipped and were resting on the cast iron gutter. This required the reinstatement of the Horsham stone and the opportunity was also taken to assess and consolidate all of the roofs, alongside a general review of the rainwater goods to check their integrity and improve the free-flow of gutters and galleys overall.

TE Tilley Ltd carried out the works and at the same time they also repaired an area of the nave ceiling damaged by nesting birds.

The repairs have coincided with 12 months of environmental monitoring by Rickerby and Shekede, a Herefordshire-based wall painting conservation practice. This has been undertaken due to significant levels of moisture experienced within the building and the effect of this on the condition of the fabric. Data and analysis will now be used to identify the risks and mitigation measures required to protect the building, as well as examine its environmental performance using non-invasive infrared thermography (IRT).

The monitoring has been completed together with a wall painting survey to determine the location and extent of historic wall paintings, their condition and the nature of later covering layers. This has provided information which will guide future decisions relating to preservation of the church’s interior.

All Saints is a country church of Saxon origin, founded in around 791 AD, and situated at the foot of the South Downs near Chanctonbury Ring. It forms part of the Chanctonbury group of churches.

To read about some of our other ecclesiastical projects please click here.

If you would like to discuss a potential conservation repair, or any other, project, please contact us. Details of our Building Conservation service can be found here.