Stone Repairs are underway at Gosport Church

A £7,200 project to restore the elaborate, yet crumbling, stonework of Gosport Methodist Church, Stoke Road, Gosport, is progressing well.

Since the church was built over 100 years ago (in 1910) weathering and traffic pollution has gradually eroded the delicate sandstone. Urgent work to repair the damaged sandstone features began in November (2011) as they posed a potential risk to people using the footpath on Stoke Road, which runs below the church’s tower.

Highly skilled stonemasons from Wells Cathedral Stonemasons have created hand-carved replicas of the damaged sandstone surrounding the church’s apertures (unglazed openings in the church tower) and its colourful leaded-windows. The stone features are expected to be fully repaired and restored by the end of December (2011) renewing the church to its former glory.

The church is a popular community venue for activities and groups such as Rainbows, Brownies, St John Ambulance Badgers, Age Concern, Sure Start, mother and toddlers, keep-fit, pilates, activity groups for the blind, diabetes group, Mandarin language classes, Solent Slot car club and the Mind charity lunch club. The exterior repair work will enable the church to continue to provide a great service to the local community as it has endeavoured to do since it was built.

The project has been funded by a range of fundraising activities organised by members and friends of the church and a grant of £5,000 from The Veolia Environmental Trust made through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Treasurer of Gosport Methodist Church, Derek Slaymaker says, “With the scaffolding in place for all to see, eyes are drawn towards the tower to view the work in progress. The craftsmen have cut away the corroded stone and templates have been sent to the quarry depot in Somerset so that new pieces of stone can be cut to replace the damaged pieces.

“A lintel on the west side of the building is also being replaced with new, and much re-pointing has been carried out. The wooden louvers (part of the tower) have also been checked, and to be found in good condition with no extra work needed.”

The Executive Director of the Veolia Environmental Trust, Margaret Cobbold, adds, “It is always good to hear that project we have supported is going well. The work will mean the church will remain a focus for community activities for many years to come and we are happy to be helping this scheme.”