The North Clerestory (2025)

The North Clerestory Repairs

The 2023 Quinquennial Inspection by our architect revealed the need for urgent repairs to the masonry of the north clerestory. This part of the church was built in circa 1460AD - 565 years ago! - and is overdue for repairs to prevent water and frost damage caused by decaying stone and missing mortar.

This is the latest project in a 15-year campaign to repair Great Bromley’s outstandingly beautiful Grade I listed church.

Here are our projects since 2010:

• 2012 south clerestory
• 2013 lychgate
• 2014 south aisle
• 2015 south doors
• 2015 porch
• 2018 south-west wall
• 2020 tower interior
• 2021 new soakaway

All these works require traditional craft skills and materials.  We greatly appreciate the expertise of all our contractors.  For the north clerestory, the contractor is Lodge & Sons (Builders) Ltd.

Suitable limestone is quite difficult to obtain but we have now sourced stone from a quarry at Richemont in Normandy, France, the same as we used for previous repairs.

The project is expected to take about three months from March to May 2025.

With our thanks to all who have helped to fund the project: St George’s congregation, friends both local and in the US, and the charitable foundations.  We are truly grateful for this tremendous support to keep Great Bromley Parish Church in good repair for the benefit of present and future generations.

G Frostick

March 2025