Report by Neil Perry, Treasurer of the PCC
On 4th July 2011, nearly 4 years after the decision was made to carry out a major refurbishment of St Laurence Church, building work has begun: the tower and north-facing roofs are now enclosed in scaffolding; craftsmen are getting to work, and we begin a period of 12 weeks of co-operating with Archer Stone Restoration Ltd as the building is once more proofed against the effects of the weather. Owing to excellent liaison between the contractor, our architect and the Parochial Church Council, church life, services, use by schools etc will be able to continue unaffected by the building work.
We reached the target for the Restoration Fund in early June and Guestling PCC acknowledges with gratitude the generosity of the following, who have made it possible, through their grants and donations, for the essential restoration of Guestling Church to proceed: English Heritage; The Heritage Lottery Fund; AllChurches Trust; The Bellhouse Foundation; Garfield Weston Foundation; Sussex Historic Churches Trust; Isabel Blackman Foundation; The National Churches Trust; The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme; Guestling Parish Council; Mr A. Akehurst; Mr B. Clayton; Mr S. Crispin; Mrs G. Kearsley; Mr D. Lanner Mr J. Mc Causland; Mr and Mrs R. Wheeler; donations by many people in memory of our dear friend Mrs Doreen Tytherleigh; and many fundraising activities by members of the congregation.
Updates will be provided as the work progresses.