Nave Roof Repair and Reordering Projects Version 2
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) April 2022
Q1. Given that the roof repairs are a ‘must have’ project and the reordering is a ‘be nice to have’ project, will priority be given to the roof in terms of fund raising and grant applications?
A. We need to combine the grant applications, where possible. This is because if we target the projects individually and need to change what we do they may not pay the grant if it is targeted. We may have to apply for the funding of one element if the grant body will only cover one element. We are providing the option for individual donations to be targeted towards the roof repair, the reordering of both projects.
Q2. Are separate project accounts being kept for the two schemes and will all grant applications be kept separate?
A. The money will be kept separate unless a donation is for both projects when it will not be possible to split this into separate project accounts. The money will be kept separate when it is given for one or the other project.
Q3. Can you indicate how much has been spent so far on these projects? If they do not come to fruition are any of these costs recoverable, or just a loss?
A. We have a budget of £45K (for the work required to get to the point where we can apply for a faculty) and as of March 2022, about £22K is remaining. The money spent to date is not recoverable.
Q4. Will both projects be put out to tender, and if so, what professional advice will be taken over the preparation of the tender document and the assessment of tender applications by potential contractors?
A. Both projects will be put out to tender and our architects will provide the above professional services. Note: Annie Evans (the architect appointed for carrying out Quinquennial Inspections on ASLM) is the architect for the Nave Roof Repair and will work closely with Benjamin and Beauchamp (appointed for the Reordering Project).
Q5. Are there any economies to be made by engaging a single contractor to complete both roof and reordering? Can you confirm that these projects will need to be completed consecutively?
A. This would be ideal but we cannot know until tenders are returned.
Q6. Are you budgeting for professional removal of the entire A/V system prior to work commencing? Also, reinstallation of same in a revised configuration?
A. The reordering team are building up a detailed plan of all the activities that will be necessary to manage the existing elements in the church which will need to be retained and stored. It is not currently clear if removal and reinstallation of the A/V system will require an external professional as we have electrical and mechanical engineers within our membership.
Q7. Much is made of the potential use by other congregations of any revised space. Have any actual discussions taken place with these other churches over such use?
A. To be advised
Q8. You seem to express a preference to keeping the current gas boiler. Given the likely exponential increases in the cost of gas, would it not make sense to explore the heat pump option as part of this project and start saving money?
A. Currently the upfront costs of installing a heat pump are very high, they are difficult to install and take longer than conventional heaters to heat a space, particularly one as large as All Saints. There would also be an issue with where to put a heat pump in a grade 11* listed building.
Our boiler system is relatively new and we are now contracted to take up a 3-year deal in July with Smartest Energy at a reasonable, fixed price, so are somewhat protected against the current price rises. We do however recognize that the church will need to convert to heat pumps at some point in the future. The heating system will be future-proofed by ensuring that the heating systems can be connected to a heat pump when gas boilers are phased out.
Q9. What are you doing to ensure sustainability of these projects?
A. The heating systems will be future-proofed by ensuring that they can connect to a heat pump in due course. The reordering team are intending to investigate the potential for installing solar tiles (designed to be unobtrusive on heritage buildings) in discrete areas on the church roof, alongside other green technologies. We will endeavor to ensure that materials used in the reordering are sustainable and that removed objects are reused or recycled. The reordered church should be more energy efficient as the glass doors and the entrance and over the vestry door will hold the heat in better. Increased natural light from the exposed window behind the organ and the glass entrance doors should mean we need to turn on fewer lights. The church is now registered with ‘Eco Church’ which is an A Rocha programme, endorsed by the dioceses of Bristol to help churches get to net zero. The PCC are seeking to work to a Bronze Award under this scheme as a systematic/balanced way of improving our sustainability.
Q10. Have any discussions taken place with LM Parish Council over the reordering, given that a revised Church space is likely to at least appear to be in competition with the Parish Hall for paying users? We still need to use their car park.
A. The plans for the reordering have been presented to the Parish Council. The Parish Council are not responsible for the Parish Hall; therefore, we are not going to use their car park. We are committed to ongoing liaison with the Parish Hall committee and are exploring options to collaborate with them on an additional shared car park as a separate exercise to the change to the church.
Q11. How do you plan to further involve the Church membership in this process, both in terms of decision making and specific details?
A. We are fully committed to keeping the church fully informed on the progress of the projects. Also we will be involving people in the detailed decision-making as we get to this level of detail.
Q12. Will this only take place when funding becomes available for all these works or could there be more than one stage?
A. The current plan is to only commence the work when the full funding is available. Technically the repair of the Nave Roof will need to take place first as this will required internal scaffolding to be installed. The scaffolding will entail the removal of some of the pews, so the two projects will overlap. Once the interior works commence it will be difficult to do these piecemeal and still use the church.
Q13. How can we ensure we are not only investing and serving a small part of the parish, i.e. Lydiard Millicent which already has a school hall and a village hall?
A. The reordering team are planning to carry out a social and economic profile of the community and engage with the key groups to ascertain how the reordered church can best meet their needs. This is to ensure that we exploit the full potential of the reordered building. We are in the process of reaching out to local schools, groups, businesses, and churches to identify and scope the full range of opportunities for community groups to use the church space as a resource.
Q14. Do we know what demand there is for a space like this, since there are several school and other halls in the parish?
A. To be advised
Q15. What will be done to provide parking for these events, especially when the village hall is not available?
A. The Parish have bought the field opposite to the church and had plans to turn this into parking. This did not transpire but the time is now right to revisit this possibility in conjunction with the Village Hall and the School who also require additional parking. Members of the church are exploring this possibility as a separate exercise to the roof repair and reordering projects. The church would need to contribute to the additional parking if this is approved and goes ahead.
Q16. If we reorientate to face the north wall during services,
- the sound when singing will reverberate back
- we will not be looking at something beautiful like the stained-glass window in the Chancel
- the north wall is a cold wall
A. We will need to experiment to determine if facing the north wall does cause the singing to reverberate back. If this is the case, we can look into materials to dampen the reverberation or we can continue to face the Chancel for most services if necessary. We can provide a focus to the north wall by providing an artwork or a cross to look at. If we install the wooden floor with underfloor heating, this should ensure that the church has an even heat throughout.
Q17. How can the cost of the roof repair and reordering be justified when the current congregation is relatively modest?
A. Community groups of many types have seen reductions in numbers since the pandemic and recovery will take time. We believe that the substantial improvements envisioned in this project, e.g., to accessibility, heating and seating, will contribute to this.
Q18. A wooden floor is not as cosy as a carpeted floor. It will be harder to clean as it will need to be mopped. Will you get contract cleaners in to do this?
A. The current carpet is somewhat stained and after the period it has been down is not very hygienic. The wooden floor should provide a level of coziness via the underfloor heating.
Engineered wooden oak floors are one of the most durable and wearing-proof choices for both commercial and residential spaces. One of the most important advantages that engineered oak floors have is that they effectively reduce the contractions as well as expansions when the temperature changes like in summer and winter time.
Cleaning of wooden floor is straight forward. All you need to do is sweep the surface of the floor with a soft bristle brush. Its recommend that you do this every day to remove any small surface dirt or dust. You can also use a vacuum cleaner but will need to make sure that you have the correct attachments for a wooden floor. Once your floor has been swept, you can then clean it to remove any surface stains or marks. This only needs to be done about once a week, or when you notice any surface stains. To clean your floor, it is recommended to use a microfibre mop and PH neutral cleaning spray. This will be gentle but effective on your wooden floor. Try to clean in the direction of the grain. You should never use furniture polish as this will leave a slippery residue. Also, never use a steam mop. The steam will penetrate into the wooden floor and can cause damage over time.
Q19. The setting out and putting away of chairs is likely to add a lot of work for the sides people, how will this be managed?
A. The proposed chair (the Theo Chair) is exceptionally light and easily moved. We would envisage to keep a number of chairs permanently out and just supplement when needed.
Q20. How will the South Aisle be used in the reordered church?
A. There are a number of ways in which the South Aisle could be used in the reordered church. Ideas include;
- set up tables and chairs to be used for meetings, conversations, tea and coffee
- set up display board to communicate children’s work, environmental work etc
- set up comfortable chairs
Like any new building, we may need to settle into the reordered church before we know how we would like to use this area. Additionally, it would be nice to involve the whole congregation in the discussion on how we use this space.
Q21. How will the existing pews be offered to the community (i.e., free, donation, charge)?
A. The pews will be offered to the community. Any pews which remain after being offered to the community will be donated to Horfield Prison in Bristol.
Q22. Why not arrange for the internal accessible WC to open into the lobby/porch?
A. This was the original plan; however, this was declined by the DAC. It is also somewhat impractical as you would have people who are using the WC blocking the way for people entering and exiting the church. We have therefore agreed that the WC will be positioned inside to the left of the main entrance and have a door opening into the church at the east end.
Q23. Why not put the accessible WC in the vestry, so that it is near the external WC?
A. In order to access the vestry there is a need to go up the chancel steps and a fairly large step down into the vestry. The vestry is not therefore accessible to all from the inside of the building. Also, those needing the WC during a wedding, funeral or service would need to pass in front of the congregation and the person giving the service. Having the WC at the back of the church provides greater privacy.