Scaffold towers are being erected and moved around St Mary’s Church as various minor stone masonry items receive attention. They were identified as in need of repair during the recent quinquennial examination by the diocesan church architect, Richard Andrews. The work will include re-pointing of the flint dressing at the north-west corner of the nave, renovation of several quoin stones, and the reinstatement of the stone cross on the east elevation gable, which had blown down and fragmented in a gale two years ago.
The work is being carried out by Elliott Brotherton, sculptors and stonemasons whose workshop is situated at Broad Oak near Rye. John Gurney, St Mary’s church surveyor, said: “We apologise to residents and visitors to Rye for any inconvenience over the next five weeks. We are also hoping to start work shortly on installing the new railings around the tower parapet in place of the temporary boarding currently between the battlements. We’re just awaiting faculty and planning permission clearance”, he added.
Photo: Kenneth Bird