Fire at St Mary's Church on Mondays 11 January
Update on the Restoration (May 2010) New Blow for Fire Damaged Church - The Fire - Letter from the Churchwardens
Update
We are glad to report
that work has started on the restoration of the church.
In the week running
up to 19 April, we checked that every item in the church that was not fixed
down had either been removed or, if it could not be economically restored, put
in a heap for the skip. Sadly, the skip heap included most of the red kneelers,
which are beyond repair due to smoke and water, but we will choose replacements
in due course. Meanwhile all the handmade kneelers swill be restored by a textile
conservator, along with the altar frontals and and the banners. Unfortunately,
when the vestry was completely empty it came to light that there is wet rot
at the foot of the East wall.
On 19 April the church became a hard hat area. Scaffolders spent a few
clanging days filling the nave, chancel and tower with poles and ladders
and platforms. The following week a team arrived from a specialist cleaning
company, complete with white overalls, hi-viz jackets and of course hard
hats. After covering the pews, stained glass and monuments with protective
sheeting, they embarked on the task of cleaning the walls and stonework.
Soon specialist conservators will clean the stained glass and the monuments
and as much as possible of the consecration cross.
Once the scaffolding
was in place, the architect was able to get a closer look at the roof, and
found no apparent distortion in the steelwork. However the paint is badly
blistered at one section so he is consulting an engineer.
Friends of St Mary's
Theft
The theft of several items from the church was discovered
on the 3rd. April. Thieves had broken into the church through a window
that had been specially strengthened after a serious fire in the building
in January. Most items had been removed for restoration after the fire,
but among those that remained was a portion of the 14th Century furnishing
of the church that had already had a chequered history as it had been removed
during an earlier remodelling of the church, only to be discovered in a
nearby barn and restored to its rightful place within the last hundred
years or so. Church officers ensured that the building was made safe although
there is now nothing of significant monetary value or interest remaining
in the building.The attached
album contains a selection of photos of the
stall – higher
resolution files are available on request.
St Mary’s has been very grateful
for the support we have received following the fire and this new problem will
heighten our resolve to see the building restored to its former beauty as soon
as possible. Our continuing fund
raising is managed by the Friends group who have in the past worked tirelessly
to raise money to support our very special building. Donations can be made
payable to The Friends of St. Mary’s Sheering and sent to the Benefice
office, The Vicarage, Broomfields, Hatfield Heath CM23 7NR. If anyone would
like further information please contact the Churchwardens via the Church office
(01279 730288) or the Rev’d Brian Surtees (01277 363607).
January 11
Six fire engines attended a fire
at St Mary's Church on Mondays 11 January about 5.00 in the evening. Someone
walking her dog saw smoke and phoned the Fire Brigade. She also contacted
Churchwarden Irene Harriss and her husband Chris who went straight to the
scene. Although there was a red glow above the roof and smoke billowing
from the building it would appear that the damage was less than at first
feared.
The main area of damage is behind the main door of the church but there
is smoke damage throughout. 
Rev'd Brian Surtees writes
St Mary’s Church in Sheering
was badly damaged by fire on the 11 January. The Church leaders want to express
their gratitude to everyone who helped minimise the damage and rescue furnishings
from the church building. In particular we would like to thank the Fire Service
and local people who were very quick to respond to our emotional trauma and
sense of loss. It is early days yet but after visits from our insurers and
architect we have some idea of what will be involved in restoring our beautiful
building to an even better state than it was in before the fire. The good news
is that the damage was contained and there is no problem about rebuilding and
reinstating the damaged area.
The bad news is that the work will take both time and money. The congregation
is determined that worship and all other planned activities will continue as
nearly as possible “as usual”. We met in the Church Room today (Sunday
17th January) for our regular service of Holy Communion. We were joined by the
Archdeacon of Harlow, the Venerable Martin Webster who took the opportunity to
encourage the congregation. We are grateful for his support over the last week
and are starting to move forward with plans for fundraising and all the other
things we need to do in order to ensure that the St. Mary’s is once again
a safe and appropriate home for the prayer and worship that have characterised
the building for hundreds of years.
Above: photos courtesy of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Above left: photo courtesy of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service