Warmwell church to celebrate new roof at thanksgiving service

The Church Council of Holy Trinity is inviting everyone to raise the roof at a thanksgiving service in January.

The service will pay tribute to those who have helped make the project possible. It will take place on Sunday, January 31, beginning at 10am.

Discussing the old roof, the Rector of the Watercombe Benefice Rev Dominic Doble said: "The roof was not weather proof and there was concern about the safety of the structure.

"We decided the best thing to do was to put back as near as we could what had been there before."

As part of the project, a temporary roof was put in place and some of the original Portland Stone was removed to allow the timbers to be checked for sounding.

The Rev Doble said they were now looking forward to using the church again after three months.

He said: "It's back to how it would have been when it was new, the first time it was put up."

The Rev Doble revealed the church was already beginning to consider its next project.

He said: "We are hoping to be able to develop the work in the building.

"We are hoping to do some reordering at the back of the building over the next few months and years."

The Rev Doble said it would be great to see everyone at the thanksgiving service and to thank those who made the project possible.

This includes treasurer Gerry Gerrard, who oversaw the project, churchwarden Sam Ross Skinner and fete organiser Rosie Crumbleholme.

The project was successfully carried out by A. E. Griffin & Son and architect Daniel Cantrell of John Stark and Crickmay.

Advice was also provided by Sue Cannings, from the Diocesan Advisory Committee on buildings.

Various bodies also provided financial contributions. Dorset Historic Churches Trust provided £10,000 whilst Erskine Muton Trust donated £15,000.

Nearly £50,000 was donated by the Listed Places of Worship Roof Fund whilst Viridor gave £25,000.

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