VILLAGERS in Wootton Courtenay have been told they have more time than they thought in which to raise funds for roof repairs to All Saints’ Church.

The news follows a five-yearly visit by church architect Marcus Chantry to inspect the grade one listed building, which dates to the 13th century.

Fund-raising has been going on to cover the cost of replacing slipping roof slates and treating woodworm in the timbers.

Churchwarden Amanda Elliott said Mr Chantry did not feel some of the issues of concern to the parochial church council (PCC) were ‘particularly important at the present time’.

Ms Elliott said: “Mr Chantry was very upbeat about the condition of our parish church and said several times that we are in much better order than many others.

“He said we should keep a watching brief on the rear slate roof, carrying out running repairs by replacing the slipping slates when necessary, which is what we have been doing.

“The deterioration of the roof becomes a higher priority when the battens start to slip and the roof begins to ‘ripple’.

“That has not happened yet, which gives us more time to continue our fund-raising.”

Ms Elliott said the church had to be inspected every five years, to ensure it was being kept in good order and to highlight any problems which needed to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

She said the PCC should receive Mr Chantry’s report by the end of of the month and it would then have ‘more information and a better idea of what needs immediate attention’.

Ms Elliott said the current plan for major roof repairs was to continue raising funds until the PCC had ‘a decent sum in hand’ and could look for match funding.

She said: “The work has not been costed yet, simply because we are still a long way from getting the job done, but it will be tens of thousands, mainly because it will have to be done in sections, with woodworm treatment, and this will take a fair amount of time.

“We have made an excellent start with our fund-raising and have about £6,000 in the roof fund, thanks to the generosity and support of the village.

“That money is exclusively for our roof repair and will not be diverted elsewhere.”

Ms Elliott said two slates on the ‘hidden side of the front roof’ had been lost and their replacement would be among the jobs which would be sorted in the PCC’s next project to keep the church dry.

She said: “Rain is not the friend of old churches.”

Water staining was also a problem at both ends of the church and in the ringing chamber, where a new carpet had been laid and a small makeover completed, but which could not ‘disguise the damp staining and mould evident in the window recess’.

It was likely the side gable end and some coping stones within the building would also need attention.

Ms Elliott said the PCC hoped to receive some external funding for such maintenance work.