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A major structural survey of All Saints in
1999 revealed a catalogue of work which needs urgent attention if the church is to continue to stand in the corner of our town for another generation. Most of the problems are the result of old age, the weather, cement rendering and an increasingly acid environment which affects the soft stone - particularly limestone clunch which has been used extensively in the church.
Phase one: The tower (completed)
See page 5
Phase two: West End (completed)
See page 5
Phase three: South Side Nave (Completed)
Repairing and repointing external walls,
repairs to buttresses, removal of plaster and brick plinth, repairs to parapet, window mullions, jambs, tracery and sills, repairs to Kempe clerestory and aisle glass. Repairs to lead on south transept roof. This phase has been split into three sub- phases. Phase 3A and Phase 3B are now completed, see page 5.
Phase 3C, the south transept, (completed)
completed in September 2010 see page 2
Phase four: North Side
This will cost £0.7m
Reseating parapet stones, repairing and
repointing external walling, rebuilding buttresses and merlons, repairs to Good Samaritan window (by Burlison and Gryll). Removal and repair of 8 north side clerestory windows (Kempe) and one aisle window [Kempe]. Re-lead north aisle roof. Inspect and repair north transept roof. Probably 2012/13.
Phase 5: Chancel (completed 2010)
Repairs to chancel. See page 2
Phase 6
Chapel: repointing, masonry repairs to
windows and repairs to parapet
Phase 7 (completed)
Heating and Drainage
After this.... the organ will require an
overhaul to clean out the dust generated by repair work. The church's lighting system also requires renewal! |
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
All Saints Preservation Trust is a registered charity, independent of the church. It has been set up to raise and manage funds only for
the repair and preservation of Leighton Buzzard's oldest building and its churchyard. The Trust will continue after the present appeal is over - providing a resource to be drawn on as necessary.
One future way you might help is by making a bequest to All Saints Preservation Trust ensuring that your money will go on helping the
town after you have gone. Or you could make a donation now, using the coupon on the next page. Gifts of any amount can be Gift Aided (see next page) by UK tax payers, adding more value to the gift at no cost to the donor. |
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On we go...............
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PHASE 4
Left: The condition of the
battlements is apparent from this picture. The whole north side of the nave requires substantial repairs to battlements, walls, windows, window mullions and tracery.
Two of the three lower
windows (glass) and porch are in reasonable repair. |
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Contact us >>>
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Phase 4a - the
north transept |
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Above, the north transept: there is worry about the high level - the battlements are developing an inward lean and
the top 8 feet of the wall contain badly eroded stone. At least one buttress is likely to need re-building. The cost of repairs here has been estimated at £250,000.
STOP PRESS: the east wall and doorway has now been cordoned off following the architect's inspection in December
2011. |
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Battlements in the north transept.
They are leaning inwards and will need attention soon. |
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Phase 4b: The north side of the nave, again repairs to battlements,
wall masonry and high level windows. Provisional costs are £400,000! |