TWO MILLION POUNDS have already been raised to fund Phase 1 of the £6million programme of major restoration works to be carried out on Cirencester Parish Church. 

As work begins on Phase 1 (details below) we are now looking ahead to Phase 2 which involves the restoration of the exterior fabric of the unique and iconic South Porch.  In his book, England’s Thousand Best Churches, Simon Jenkins writes ‘Cirencester is most celebrated for its South Porch. Such medieval porches were of great local importance for here the conduct of both church and secular business took place. Cirencester’s is the largest and most complex in England.’ Built at the end of the 15th century, the South Porch (also known as the Town Hall) has fulfilled many different functions through the centuries. Although in the care of the Parish Church since the 17th century, it remains a secular and unconsecrated building. 

To fund Phases 2-4 of the project (outlined below) and after several months of preparatory work, we are now seeking major donations from private sources, trusts and statutory bodies.  To help us with this, we are very pleased to have such a distinguished and enthusiastic group as members of the Campaign Board. 
To enable work on the South Porch,  £1.2 million is required for the stabilisation of areas currently causing concern, cleaning and removal of corrosive deposits and preservation, conservation and repair of eroded stonework and statuary.  With test work commencing in summer 2008 and the major works beginning in 2009, the schedule is tight but it is heartening that so much has already been achieved in funding Phase 1. 

Looking further ahead to 2010, the focus returns to the interior of the Parish Church for Phase 3 of the works.  £1.4 million  is required to clean the stone work and install  new audio and lighting systems.  Specially designed lighting will illuminate and highlight much of the fine stone carving and other architectural detail which is currently not easily appreciated. 

Our final ambition for Phase 4 of the Campaign is to leave an invested £1.5 million Fabric Fund.  We hope that it will ensure a means of meeting the future challenges of the ongoing conservation, renewal and restoration of this magnificent place of worship which is not only the heart of the town but also a major landmark in the County. 

For further information about the Campaign’s fundraising work, please contact me, Alison Giles, on 01285 656206 or e-mail cirencestercampaign@tiscali.co.uk.  My colleague, Ailsa O’Connor, is the Campaign Administrator, and will also be happy to answer any questions.

Alison Giles
Campaign Director

RESTORATION AND REFURBISHMENT, CIRENCESTER PARISH CHURCH 2008 - 2011

PHASE 1, interior of the Church, low-level works (projected dates spring 2008 – winter 2009):
Storage of pews, removal of damaged floor, laying of new stone floor with under-floor heating, construction of movable nave altar and dais, remedial work and upgrading of organ, improvement of access.                                                                                                 
PHASE 2, The South Porch (projected dates autumn 2008 investigative works, 2009/2010): Stabilisation, repair, cleaning, renewal of statuary where appropriate, access and interpretative work.

PHASE 3, interior of the Church, high-level works (projected dates 2010/2011):
Cleaning of interior walls, renewal of audio system, installation of specially designed lighting.

PHASE 4, ongoing maintenance:
The creation of a Fabric Fund to provide for the long-term care and ongoing repairs (specified by the architect) of the Church building.

Campaign Board:  The Lord Apsley;  Mr Philip Beckerlegge;  Mr Mark Booth;  Mr Kevin Ronaldson (Chairman);  Mrs Jessica Schroder;  Major Tom Wills DL.

President:  Sir Crispin Tickell GCMG KCVO

Vice Presidents:  Sir Michael Angus DL;  Mr John Armitage;  Sir Win Bischoff;  Mrs Priscilla Chester-Master;  Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP;  Mr Robert Cooper;  Mr Henry Elwes, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire;  Mr Robert Hawley CBE;  Mr Allan Hirst;  Mr Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen;  Mr Simon Logie;  Mr Michael Meacher MP, Mrs/Miss Karen Morgan OBE DL;  The Bishop of Gloucester, The Rt Revd Michael Perham;  Marquess of Reading; The Archdeacon of Cheltenham, the Venerable Hedley Ringrose;  Jonathan Taylor CBE;  Mark Tufnell.