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St Michael & All Angels Tower Repairs Completed

​The tower repairs were completed in early November 2010. As the mortar had to be allowed to harden it was not possible to ring the full peal of bells until the beginning of June 2011.

If one looks at the Tower from the path at the west end of the church the new stonework is clearly visible and it is possible to see where new mortar has been inserted. It is clearly evident that the repair work had to be carried out quickly, as to have delayed would have meant further decay to the masonry, with the possibility of stonework falling from the tower. The costs would also have risen considerably.

In late 2009, following the report by the Church architect, Michael Willis, and professional surveys of the Church Tower, it was confirmed that urgent repairs were required to the stonework and the pointing of the tower, as water had been entering the walls and penetrating through in to the church.

The Parochial Church Council accepted the tender from Carrek Ltd of Wells, in the amount of £29,738, for the work detailed in the Schedule that had been agreed by the Council. Work commenced in August 2010. With the scaffolding erected a more detailed inspection of the fabric of the tower could be made. The damage was worse than first thought and the cost rose to £36,356.

The Parochial Church Council allocated £10,000 from the Fabric Fund and this left a shortfall of £26,356. Applications were made to a number of Trusts and Funding bodies. A grant of £2,000 was received from the Devon Historic Churches Trust, Torrington Bell Ringers made a donation of £1,500, Torrington Town Lands Charity gave £2,500 . Other funds came from concerts, fetes, sales of “Stones”, and the generosity of church members. No interest loans were offered and these allowed all bills to be paid. The loans were fully repaid by August 2011.