Villagers in Tolland gathered in the churchyard under a bright blue sky to celebrate the repair of St John the Baptist Church’s wrought-iron gates.
Villager Neil Musson, who realised the ravages of time had taken their toll and that the gates would soon be beyond repair, masterminded the restoration project.
Lydeard St Lawrence and Tolland Parish Council match-funded a generous gift from a private benefactor from its community fund and Neil was able to commission local craftsmen to carry out the work.
“With everything in place we now had to remove the gates,” said Neil. “This was a difficult task and I was amazed how heavy they were. It became clear they were in a very poor state.
“Several of the blacksmiths I approached thought they were beyond repair, but Anthony Cowling from Waterrow appreciated their historic importance to Tolland and was to prepared to take on the task.
“They first went to James Miles of West Taunton Powder Coating in Wiveliscombe to be shot-blasted, and I was concerned what might be left. A considerable amount of the ironwork did have to be replaced but Anthony carried out the work with painstaking care and even pitted the new metal so it matched the old.
“The lettering on the arch had rotted completely but my brother Colin meticulously copied the original letters and laser-cut new ones. My wife Lois then painted them gold – it was family effort!’
Margaret Lucas, the wife of the then rector, presented the gates to the church on New Year’s Day 1914 and now, just over 100 years later, they are back to their full glory.
A service in the churchyard was followed by a blessing of the gates by the Rev Martin Walker from the Wiveliscombe and Hills Benefice. Coffee and tea was accompanied by a special cake iced with an edible photo of the gates made by Kirsty Boutflower of Ford.
Churchwarden Linda Lloyd said: “After such a difficult year for so many people with the pandemic and lockdowns, it was wonderful to gather everyone in the churchyard for the celebration of such a positive achievement.”