Restoration complete at St James Church, Audley

The people of Audley have celebrated the restoration of the village’s most familiar  landmark, the Anglican church of St James, following months of painstaking work costing £170,000 in all.

Church Leader Peter Davies and his committed group of volunteers welcomed members of the local community, including Newcastle’s MP Paul Farrelly, to celebrate the restoration at an open day on Saturday.

The church was damaged by fire nearly two and a half years ago and the main part of the work involved replacing the roof of the 14th century sandstone tower – with its magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

The work, funded by government grants and local contributions, also included replacing the tower’s broken, main supporting truss, installing new stone mullions on all six of its windows and refacing the clock features with gold leaf.

‘It was a delight to be invited by the church to celebrate such a special day,’ said Paul. ‘Following the fire, the church bells have not sounded in Audley for the past couple of years. To put the seal on all the hard work, what St James needs now, I’m told, is a few local bell-ringing enthusiasts to sign up for duty!’

The old organ was also extensively damaged by smoke from the fire and, while retaining the original decorative pipes, the church is now fitting an electronic, digital organ. In the future, too, it wishes to relay the floors for better disabled access – so fundraising is by no means at an end.

For more information on St James – or if you are interested in making a donation to the restoration appeal – just see the church’s website at www.stjamesaudley.co.uk or contact Church Warden Brian Dodd on: dodd.brian@btinternet.com

Picture above left: Paul with Church Leader Peter Davies on the new roof of the tower with a view towards the Wedgwood Monument in the distance.