Church of St Mary the Virgin
Hawkesbury
Insall was appointed in 2020 to undertake re-ordering and repair of the tower of this Grade I listed church. The work included re-ordering of the tower, comprising the installation of a new ringing chamber and a new belfry, ready for a new ring of eight Italian-cast bells to be installed in May, and external masonry repairs to the 15th century tower. The gargoyles and hunky punks were consolidated with lime water and the rain water spouts extended to improve rainwater dispersal from this tall, six-stage tower.
A new glass screen with decorative copper work and joinery forms the centrepiece of the new ringing chamber and acts as a draught lobby, allowing the west door to remain open and inviting visitors into the church.
The extensive programme of masonry repairs was supplemented by the work of local lichenographer, Dr David Hill from the British Lichen Society, who surveyed the different types present on the tower walls and the churchyard, identifying over 85 species in the churchyard alone.
In addition to a large private donation, the works were funded by a series of small grants applied for by the PCC with assistance from Insall.
