REPAIRS AND RESTORATION TO CLUMBER CHURCH IN 2017 - PAGE 1

ROAD SIGNAGE FOR CLUMBER CHURCH

Our first task for 2017 has been completed. Whilst it is neither a repair nor a restoration project ; it forms part of our objectives for 2017. We have erected 5 road signs - two on the R67, the road from Bathurst to Grahamstown, two on the Shaw Park Road at the top of Clumber Hill and one at the turnoff to the Clumber Church. There have been requests from visitors to our Services to erect signage as they find Clumber Church difficult to locate. The signs will also be useful for our 150th Celebrations in October this year to assist those who are traveling to Clumber Church.

Attaching the Signs to the Poles with Roofing Nails

Ready for Planting

Planting a Directional Pole

Streaky Walls Caused by The Ingress of Water

REPAINTING THE INTERIOR

Because of the ingress of water from a leaky roof, the walls are streaked. In other areas the walls were soaked and there are a number of damp areas. Since the roof was replaced in November 2016, the walls have had a chance to dry out. The Church has been cleared and the walls are being prepared for painting. Road Marking paint has been applied to the streaked areas as a first coat. Cracks have been opened and then sealed. Damp areas have been scrubbed dry and a sealant applied. The first coat is looking good. Whilst the Church was being cleared and prepared for painting, an area of wall in the porch was uncovered which revealed that a much darker green paint had been applied earlier, together with a stencilled pattern. This historical find will remain exposed. Mr Tim Dold of P G Glass in Grahamstown has kindly sponsored the costs of applying a clear glass frame to this area and of a design which would enable the wall to breathe and to absorb moisture. This repainting project is now complete and all furniture has been moved back into position. A significant task has been ticked off the list.

The Church is Cleared for Repainting

Cracks are Opened and Sealed

Damp in the Porch

An Original Stencilled Paint Section in the Porch Uncovered

The New Look

Painting complete

Water Damage to the Pews and Floors

ATTENDING TO THE WOODWORK

Renewing the Yellowwood Pews

The pews have been badly affected by water damage. They have been sanded down and will be given a coat of water based clear varnish to protect and nourish the wood. The same contractor who is repainting the interior has also undertaken this task. The sanded pews with the clear protective coating applied are looking magnificent.

All the pews have now been sanded down and given a protective nourishing coat. So fantastic to be able to conclude another major project.

A Water Damaged Yellowwood Pew

The Pew after a Water Based Clear Varnish Has Been Applied

Renovated Pews

SANDING AND SEALING THE YELLOWWOOD FLOOR

Our yellowwood floor has now been restored and sealed. Whilst the furniture had been removed to facilitate painting, the opportunity was taken to repair and attend to the floor which was water damaged. A protective sealer has been applied which also nourishes the wood. The result is breathtaking!

The Porch and the Teak Entrance Doors

THE INTERIOR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED

All Complete - Our New Look

The remake of the interior of Clumber Church has been completed. Walls and Ceiling have been repainted. Our yellowwood pews have been sanded and sealed. And our yellowwood floor has been restored and sealed. All of these tasks were major objectives we had set ourselves for 2017. And the result is superb. Thanks to Mark Vogler for undertaking these tasks in such a sympathetic way and achieving such an admirable result.

PAINTING THE EXTERIOR

We started painting the last week in March 2017, but rain put a hold on major progress. Work started in earnest this week and Mark, our contractor, has advised that the work is almost done. Mark has confirmed that the painting of the exterior was completed on April 12 2017. So we can say now that "The Final Push" is well and truly underway. A major task undertaken and completed in the Final Push phase!

The Vestry Area Receives Attention

WEEDING AND PLANTING THE CHURCHYARD AND SCRUBBING THE GRAVESTONES -A SOCIAL GET TOGETHER

Our Work Party and Social Bring and Braai on 22 April 2017 to restore and plant our Churchyard was a wonderful event. Thank you to all who "pitched in" and gave so much of their time and effort. The cleaning of the graves proved to be a time consuming task, but it was well worth the effort. We were given specific instructions by those who supply the granite and marble for headstones on how to clean the surfaces without damage. Naturally one thinks of spray cleaning, but we were advised not to go that route. The simple brush and a pail of water to which a dollop of dishwasher liquid is added is the route to go. We started at 09h00 and left at 14h00 and in that time managed to clean only 10 graves comprising different materials - sandstone, marble and granite. The results we achieved far exceeded our expectations. But, this is a task we have underestimated in its size and sheer scale as there are around 200 graves in the Clumber Church Yard. If we had 100 volunteers for a mornings work, then we could consider the task done. Where does one find 100 volunteers?! We also started on planting an indigenous garden with water wise plants. As we are in drought conditions it was extremely difficult just to break the surface of the soil. A pick was needed to break through and then with difficulty the soil was broken just to add the plants that were donated. But a start has been made.

Work Party Cleaning the Churchyard

Granite Chips being Offloaded for Surfacing the Graves

All the Volunteers at Work