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PARISHIONERS returned to
fheir church for the first service
since a f560,000 conservation
project was comPleted on the his'
toric building.
StJames'Chuch in
Finchampstead, which has been
on its Church Lane site for 1'000
vears. opened its doors on
Sunday, March 28, for a dedica-
tion service led bY the BishoP of
Oxford, The Rt Rev John
Pritchard.
Churchgoers raised much of the
money foi the imProvement work.
The Rev Richard Warden from
St James' gave a report at
Finchampstead Parish Councilb
annual meeting last WednesdaY
about the work.
The building had been Plagued
with ddathwatch beetles and
woodworm and needed maj'or
work to repair the damage.
The work was originallY suP-
posed to start in JanuarY 2008 but SI
was delayed because of Planned th
weddings and possible damage to M
nesting bats over the breeding of
season.Work eventuallY began
last August. R
Dr Warden said: "This time last c
year, we were still deeP in discus'
iions.with English Heritage, and ' I
the 0xford Diocese as to what
'-ionsen'ation *ork the;- *ould
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allow.
"However a Year on we have
just returned to our beloved and
fullv restored church. (
largest grant we received
- "ihe
was E15,000from FinchamPstead
. Parish Council, which the council' T
required to be sPent on levelling a
the floor from the entrance ti
tlrough the central aisle for a
o
wheelchair and disabled access to
the pews and the electronic looP
system for hearing aid users. F
ChurchWardensNicky Alder (left) and Ed Sampgo4(rightf witl The a
"Ihe rest of the moneY was n"o nt niittutd Ward6n and tire Bishop of Oxford,The Rt Rev John
raised through the incredible ptit.ftura U"iore the sewice. W10405a-. Pictulebg SteueSmgth' I
generosity of individuals and I
some outstanding fundraising stone steps, levelled floors and tivity to the original building and p
events." limewash paint throughout. Th€re fabric'with an emphasis on con'
Outside, there has been a is also a new lathe and Plaster servation and restoration rather s
newly-tiled nave, the tower has ceiling, complete rewiring, a new than on cha4ge and re-ordering. s
been re-Pointed and re-roofed sound system and lighting' "This generation of the congre- v
and there is securitY lighting and heaters, restored stonework, new sation should feel rightlY Proud €
a new handrail. pews and chairs, a new security of alt that they have done and
Indoors, the walls have been system, new woodwork for doors, achieved.
plastered, the nave has been cabinets and vestry wardrobes "We have bequeathed a won-
ieconstructed with reclaimed and repairs to monuments. derfully sound and restored
tiles and oak board, there is a Dr Warden said:'iAll this has buitding for future generations of
stone floor in the sdnctuarY, new beeii done with the utmost sensi' Christians for centuries to eome.'f