Our History

A Brief History, by Joan Cowell, 1986. Updated 2005

Rectors of Ingrave

1321 John de Bullers
1322 Richard de Stevenage
1325 John de Ue
1327 Richard de Staynton
1332 Robert de Shipton
1333 Laurence de Friendsbury
1368 John Smith alias Weston
1373 Nicholas de Stalynton
1385 William Slanston
1393 John Keylmarsh
1396 William Cok William Fletcher
1435 Thomas Manning
1438 John Lewis
1439 Thomas Manning
1441 William Drake
1443 William Palmer
1445 William Lee
1448 William Hekys
1455 William Smith Richard Hebson
1468 John Rodbere
1471 Roger Griffith
1477 Thomas Thornton
1480 William Wade
1494 John Bloys
1497 John Ashwell
1519 John Justice Evan Quick
1542 John Rawlinson
1557 William Horwood
1589 Robert Spencer
1638 Simon Jackman
1643 Richard Babington
1656 John Willis
1696 Edward Willis
1733 Zephariah Peirse
1764 Owen Jones
1765 Thomas Newman
1797 Thomas Newman
1842 Robert Abercrombie Johnstone
1867 Henry Davis Heatley
1909 Sidney Pittman
1929 William Lindsay
1939 Laurens Christopher Sargent
1944 Llewelyn Cradock Roberts
1953 Geoffrey Ernest Porter
1979 Derrick John lorns
1981 Samuel Edward Marsden
1990 David Alan Hart
1994 Colin John Travers
1999 Andrew Parsons
2006 Paul Hamilton

St Nicholas is the Patron Saint of children and he gave rise to the legend of Santa Claus and Father Christmas.
He was Bishop of Myrna in Turkey in the fourth century. His symbol was that of three money bags, or three gold balls. He was alleged to have thrown three bags of money through the windows of three poor girls to save them from a life of prostitution. The three golden balls became the sign of the pawnbroker.

INGRAVE is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as follows:
"INGRAVE. Inga: FitzThorold from Bishop of Bayeux; Serlo from Ranulf Peveral; 'W' from Ranulf, brother of Ilger. Three Beehives."
(Beehives were recorded as they were important not only for pollinating the crops, but because the bees provided honey -a sweetener- sugar being not yet imported into Britain and therefore unknown. Honey was used to make the ancient drink mead, and the wax was used to make candles.)

The Parish Church of St Nicholas, West Horndon stood close below the original Thomdon Hall, a magnificent mansion, the ruined foundations of which are still identifiable near Mill Wood about 600 yards north of the Southend Arterial road (A127). The Parish Church of St Nicholas, Ingrave stood to the west of Ingrave Hall in Rectory Lane (now Middle Road). The Old Rectory (circa 1600) still stands, renamed 'Heatley's' after the Revd. Henry Heatley, the last incumbent to reside there. In the former churchyard an old gravestone can still be read as follows:
"Here lies interred the body of Edmund, son of Edward Clark Esq., and of Ann his wife of West Homdon who died May 9th 1731 " - then broken and almost illegible across the stone - "aged... years and.... months" - obviously a child.

In 1734, to quote from Morant:
"The Churches of West Homdon and Ging Ralph being grown ruinous, an Act of Parliament was obtained for uniting the two Parishes; and the churches being taken down, a new church of brick was built at the charge of the Rt Hon. the late Lord Petre and stands nearly at an equal distance from the two ancient churches".

The name Ingrave is of Saxon origin. The Essex historian Thomas Wright refers to it thus:
" Ging Ralph, vulgarly Ingrave. The Saxon Geing, and Ralph, its owner at the time of the (Norman) Survey accounts for the name of this Parish, i.e. Ralphs Ing, or Meadow. In the records the name is written Ging Raff, Ginges Radulphi, Raufre Yengrave. This is one of five neighbouring parishes ending or beginning with ing or ging viz: Ging Ralph, Mountneys-ing, Ing-att-stone, Friern-ing, Margaret-ing".

The Village is two miles south of 'Burntwood', once a clearing in the Forest of the middle ages, now known as Brentwood. It lies by the lovely woodlands of Thomdon Hall, the former family seat of Lord Petre who remains closely interested in the Manor.

THE STRUCTURE

The church is built of red brick and has been described as one of the most remarkable 18th Century churches in the county. Building commenced in 1734 and the church was consecrated in 1736. The Architect is unknown but could have been Hawksmoor or a pupil of Hawksmoor. The windows are certainly in the style of Hawksmoor. It was built for the villagers 'at the charge of Robert James, 8th Lord Petre, of Thomdon Hall, a Roman Catholic'.

It has a massive west tower, holding a ring of six bells and widened by recessed polygonal turrets, which rise above the parapet of the tower. This rests on an arched corbel frieze. Over the west door there is a large white stone which bears an inscription in Latin. Translated it says:
"Sacred to God & St Nicholas
Robert James, eighth Lord Petre on the union of the Parishes of West Homdon and Ingrave by Act of Parliament built this church in the year 1734."

The porch is part of the main tower and incorporates a door leading to a circular stone staircase, which gives access to the ringing room and bell-chamber. At the entrance to the Church is a stone slab which was formerly the top of an old table-tomb. No inscription remains on it. Large north and south doors lead to the churchyard and there are two small vestries, one either side of the chancel, which is narrower than the nave and has an arch on very thick imposts.

THE INTERIOR

The porch contains the list of Rectors dating back to 1321; also the names of the fallen in the two world wars. Displayed there is an ancient clapper and beam, relics of the bells of the old church which
were placed in the belfry when the present church was built in 1736.

They were preserved at the re-setting of the bells in 1930.

The interior of the church is plain, having no side aisles, but is interestingly described in William White's history (1848) thus:
"The internal arrangements are singular, more like those of college chapels than an ordinary parish church."

Over the west door hang the painted Royal Arms of George II.

The stone font is perpendicular octagonal with quatrefoil panels, early 16th century Tudor and was probably brought from the old St. Nicholas, Ingrave.

The panelled oak pulpit dates from about 1735.

The present Communion table, 1893. (Extract from Vol. II Essex Review, January 1893):
" A handsome addition has just been made to the Parish Church of Ingrave by the presentation of a new Communion table, the gift of Mr. P.G. Laurie of Heron Court. The table is of plain oak with three arched panels and a cross in the centre panel, the super altar being similar in character and surmounted by a gilt cross set with large stones, presented by Mr. Laurie last year. This last gift is the work of Mr. R Young of Herongate" (Local carpenter and undertaker).

The walls are painted white, but under the paint are coloured angels. (Extract from Essex County Chronicle dated 19.1.1894):
Ingrave. "The Bishop of Colchester preached two sermons at the Parish Church on Sunday, on the occasion of the completion of the paintings in the chancel. The work, which is eminently satisfactory, has been carried out in mural paintings by Mr. Reginald Hallward, member of the Arts and Crafts Society, etc., an artist of great talent. The artist has covered the east wall with four life-size angels and the side walls with lilies, roses and vines. The work is original all through. Money is still greatly required for a new east window and for the nave."

The east window. (Extract from the Essex Times 15.4.1894):
Ingrave. "A new east window has just been placed in the parish church in place of the window which has for so many years disfigured the building. The window has been obtained through the exertions of Mr. P.G. Laurie of Heron Court, and reflects great credit on the artist, Mr. Edward Frampton, whose windows in St Margaret's, Westminster, are much admired. The window represents our Savour life-size in transfiguration, with the text above "This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased", and beneath, "To the glory of God, erected 1894. This colouring has been purposely made to harmonise as far as possible with the decorations lately carried out in the chancel, and the new window may be looked upon as an elegant and handsome addition to the church."

Memorials:

Marble on wall, north side of choir. "In the family vault beneath are deposited the remains of the Rev. Mr. Thos, Newman A.M. upwards of 30 years Rector of these parishes. He died March 24th 1807 aged 77 years. His own particular request prevents a record of his many virtues, but they are engraven on the hearts of his children, who will evince the veneration in which they held him by their earnest endeavours to imitate them.
The remains also of Mrs. Margaret Newman, consort of the above, were consigned to the same tomb on September 23rd 1819. She had attained the lengthened age of 87 years, a large portion of which were dedicated to the relative duties of wife and mother and which she discharged in a manner most worthy of admiration. 'Thou shalt be buried in a good old age.' Gen XV 15.
VIVIMUS AD MORTEM, MORIMU AD VILAN."

Marble tablets on south wall of choir. "Sacred to the memory of the Revd. Robert Abercromby Johnstone M.A. (Died 25.9.1887), for23 years the loving and beloved pastor of this parish who to the labour of a life for the good of his flock added care for the time when he should be removed providing, that after his widow (who has placed here this brief memorial of his worth and her affection), they should receive £3,000 for raising a school to nurture the good seed sown by his piety and work of love. St John's 3rd Epistle v. 4: 'I

have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth!' (With this money was built the Ingrave Johnstone Church School). "

North of choir. "Sacred to the memory of Thomas Newman M.A. during 44 years Rector of this Parish. Died October 6th 1842 aged 77 years. Also of Elizabeth his wife. Died February 22nd 1842 aged 64 years."

BURIALS

Burials in the vaults under the sanctuary:
Recorded on the floor slab on the north side:
"In memory of Mrs. Grace Newman, wife of the Revd. John Newman, Chaplain of Brentwood, who died August 15th 1795 in the forty-fourth year of her age and of the said Revd. John Newman who died September 3rd 1802 aged 68 years."

Middle left. "Within this vault is deposited the body of Mrs. Elizabeth Bankes of Brentwood, a pious and exemplary maiden lady, who died March 25th 1787 aged 56. Also the body of Miss Elizabeth Newman, dear and only daughter of the Revd. Mr. Thomas Newman who died February 28th 1788 aged 18. And of Mr. Robert Newman, his youngest son, a promising young man who died February 17th 1792 in the nineteenth year of his age. Likewise of Mr. Joseph Newman, his third son who died January 18th 1802 in the 35th year of his age."

Middle below the above. "In memory of Mr. Joseph Colborne Surgeon, late of Brentwood. A gentleman of very great professional abilities who died November 11th 1795 aged 63 years. Also of Mrs. Hester Colborne, relict of the above, who departed this life June 8th 1831 aged 81 years."'

Right hand side top. "Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of the Revd. Owen Jones, late Rector of this Parish. Died September 23rd aged 41. Also Anne Jones. Died February 10th 1772 aged 37. Also Mary Jones, widow of the above, Died September 1899 aged 81."

Below the above right hand side. "Here lieth the body of Mary Ann Marston, daughter of Charles and Ann Marston of Brentwood Gent-, who died 24th May 1795 aged 15 years. Also Ann the wife of Charles Marston who died July 8th 1795 aged 46 years and of the above Charles Marston who died July 8th 1806 aged 63."

White stone in the middle, below all the above. " Henrietta Walmesley, died July 27th 1767 aged one year and six months. (She of Roman Catholic family)."

The vault beneath the altar measures from inside of the east wall to west, 13 ft. 6 inches, as viewed from an opening enlarged in the outside wall A.D. 1910.

Inscriptions on stones in floor of the nave (by south door):
"John Tempest S.J. son of Sir Stephen Tempest de Broughton, York. Died Thomdon, 1757. Stone by Lord Robert James Petre." (Another entry in West Homdon, same name, J.T., Gent, buried February 24th 1736). "Rev. Charles Lucas died 1787. Chaplain to Lord Petre for 35 years. Stone by Lord Robert Edward Petre (9th Baron)". "Luke Davy, died 1799 - a servant during 33 years. Stone by Lord Robert Edward Petre (9th Baron)". "Peter Denoir, died 1799 - a servant during 44 years. Stone by Lord Robert Edward Petre (9th Baron)".

On the north wall of the chancel, previously Inset in floor, under glass, seven pews from the back, north side (Elizabethan Latin): Portion of a black letter inscription to Walter Gayslee, formerly Rector of St. John-on-Walbrook, City of London. 14th Century. (Difficult to decipher).

THE BRASSES

The brasses lie in the sanctuary, each side of the altar. They are of Margaret Wake, 1466 (south) and Sir Richard Fitz-Lewes 1528 and his four wives (north). They came from the old St Nicholas', West Homdon and are famous. They have been reproduced in many books on brasses. Wealthy families had their brasses engraved,
often abroad, sometimes considerably after the death of the subject.

The metal is not brass but Iatten, formed of a combination of copper, tin, lead and zinc and its use declined after the 14th century. The faces are stylized and not copies of the features of the deceased.

The oldest brass is of Margaret, daughter of Sir Lewis John, wife successively of Sir William Lucy and ... Wake, 1466. Note the little dog at her feet, the emblem of fidelity. Men who went to the Crusades usually have their feet resting on a lion. Margaret's brass was laid down in 1466 and the face is shown in profile in order to display to the best advantage the 'butterfly' head-dress formed of an elaborate framework on which was stretched thin fabric. The hair is secured in a lovely netlike arrangement; the neck is bare, a plain band - probably of gold - encircling the upper part of the shoulders. The kirtle is low in the neck and fits closely to the waist. The mantle is thrown back, disclosing the figure and is fastened across the breast by a silken cord which is knotted at the waist and ends in tassels below the knee. She died on August 4th 1466 and her son and heir was John Wake, aged 12 weeks. This implies, firstly, that her second husband pre-deceased her and, secondly, that he died within the preceding twelve months. She contracted a third marriage with a member of the Goshalm family within a few weeks of her death.

The elaborate brass of Sir Richard Fitz-Lewes and his four wives dates from 1528. The first wife of St. Richard Fitz-Lewes was Alice Harleston, one of the two daughters of John Harleston of Shimpling, Norfolk, by Margaret his wife, daughter and heir of William Bardwell of Bardwell, Suffolk. This marriage was probably solemnized before 1466. Of the second wife, nothing is known - unless she was Dame Maud, one of the ladies mentioned in the will of September 28th 1480 of Lady Latimer, who was aunt by marriage of Sir Henry Fitz-Lewes and may have been mother of Sir Richard. The third wife of Sir Richard was Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Ralph Sheldon. She died January 2nd 1522-3 and was buried at Dagenham, with an inscription which is recorded in Weever's Funeral Monuments. Fourthly, he married Joan Hornby, a lady of a Lincolnshire family, who survived him and took for her second husband Sir John Norton of Faversham and Milton near Sittingbourne in Kent. Sir Richard

died July 12th 1528, having survived all his sons.

Sir Richard's first wife has a goat standing on its hind legs on the left side of her mantle. His fourth wife has bugle horns on her ermine - a play upon the name 'Homby'. Under the first and third wives were the matrices of plates with figures of children, the former apparently recording six or eight children; the latter six sons and three daughters. (The brasses have now vanished, with only the indent in the stone remaining.) Sir Richard Fitz-Lewes is clothed in armour of early Tudor date. A sword suspended from the left side hangs diagonally behind the legs and a dagger is worn on the right side. The tabard is emblazoned on the body and sleeves with the arms of Fitz-Lewes quartering Goshalm.

THE ORGAN
The organ was built in 1856 for Lord Petre for his private chapel in Thomdon Hall. Estimates were quoted for two organs. The first estimate was for £165 and the second for £230. The second instrument was purchased.

When the surviving wing of Thomdon Hall, containing the Petre Chapel, was leased to Thomdon Golf Club as a Club House, Lord Petre gave the organ to St Nicholas' Church. It has approximately 463 pipes. The organ has a lovely tone but needs overhauling and cleaning. The cost of this, quoted in 1984, exceeded £4,000, which is quite beyond parish means. It has a painted and gilded casing, untouched since it was built; also a flat pedal board in keeping with its period. A plaque on the casing records that Miss Beatrice Boardman was organist here for 50 years.

THE BELLS
The ring of bells, dated 1735 and 1737 of which the fourth has been re-cast, was probably cast at Ingatestone as it was done at the cost of Robert Lord Petre, 8th Baron 1713-1734 who may have suggested to Thos. Gardiner of Sudbury, bellfounder, that it was on the main road near to Ingrave, and that there was plenty of wood to hand. The ring was evidently put up when the two churches of Ingrave or Ging Ralph and West Homdon were pulled down and the

new one erected for the two parishes. Each church had originally three bells. (See Morant I p.216). The second bell if not the others, evidently reproduces an old inscription. It seems probable that Lord Petre would use the metal of the old bells, since he was empowered by Act of Parliament to make use of any suitable material from the old church of West Thomdon in the construction of the new church for the united parishes. The Treble is hung above the rest. Weight of 4th Bell, 7cwt. 3qrs. 22lbs. Ref. 'The Church Bells of Essex', by Deeds and Walters pp.207, 307, 422. The ring was rehung in 1930 and again in 1978. The details of the bells are as follows:

1 . LAVDATE DEVM IN TYMPANO 29 inch
(Praise God with the timbrel)
2. SANCTE NICH OLAE PRO NOBIS 1737 31 inch
(St. Nicholas pray for us)
Reproduction of a medieval bell.
3. ME CLANGENTE DOMVM CONCELEBRATE DEI 33 inch
(When I am ringing, throng 0 ye people to the House of God)
4. FUNERIBVS PLANGO MVNERIBVSQVE CANO 36 inch
(I mourn for the dead and I rejoice for public functions)
Cast by John Warner & Sons, London 1959.
Probably also one of Gardiner's bells.
5. MVNERA SACRA SONO FVERA LAETA PRECES 40 inch
ROB. JAC. PETRE BARO DE WRITTLE REFVNDENDA
CVRAVIT OPERA THOS. GARDINER DE SVDBVRY 1735
(I announce sacred functions, funerals, happy occasions, prayers. Robert James Petre, Baron of Writtle, had the
casting made through the agency of Thomas Gardiner of Sudbury, 1735).
6. There has since been added a sixth bell. It was given to Ingrave from St Stephen's Church, Upton Park, East London, which church was burnt down during the 1939-45 war, and was added when the St Nicholas bells were rehung, in 1978. Mr. Wix, Churchwarden at the time, chose the words to be cast into it: 'A brand plucked out of the fire.' Zechariah 3.2 E. M. D. G. 19 78.

The bells were stopped in 1972 and restarted on Christmas Day 1978.

CHURCH PLATE
Ingrave with West Horndon Church Plate. Both these churches were visited by the Archdeacon, the Ven. Thos. Turner on 4thAugust, 1685. At that date Ingrave possessed a flagon and a plate of pewter, and the following entry occurs: " The silver cup and cover to it must be new cast, and new melted downe, and made into substantial plate to hold a pint at least". This order, if it was ever carried out, sealed the fate of what was probably the Elizabethan cup and cover belonging to the Parish of Ingrave. West Homdon was stated to have, at that date: "A flagon and a cup of silver with a cover to it; there is a pewter plate". All traces of the old plate belonging to these two churches seem to have entirely disappeared. East Horndon Church still possesses its chalice and cover of Elizabethan silver.

St Nicholas' possesses three chalices and a flagon. Two chalices are dated 1823 and 1926. There are also two patens.

BURIALS AT THE FIRST ST NICHOLAS' CHURCH
(by the A127)
"A poore wandring woman from Jury Hills (Childerditch) was buried July 14th 1639.
John Courtoise, Sexton of this parish was buried May 13th 1640.
A poore child from Jury Hills Barne was buried May 13th 1640. John, a stranger, was buried December 25th 1638".

Parishes did not like strangers or vagrants dying within their boundaries. It fell to the Church to bury them. In the heyday of the Wool Trade it was necessary to be buried in a woollen shroud, otherwise there was a fine of I/- if linen was used. This was to support the vital wool trade of the day.

RECORDED DATES AT PRESENT ST NICHOLAS CHURCH
26th June 1734 - First comer-stone of the new Church of West Homdon consolidated with Ingrave, in the tenth year of the reign of Queen Anne (i.e. 1712), laid at the chancel end by Zephariah Peirse, Rector of the same.

July 6th 1736- Consecrated by Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London, the parish then being within the Diocese of London.
August 25th 1736 - First burial in the new ground. Sarah Wood, an infant.
September 12th 1736 - First baptism in the new church. Mary, daughter of Jeremiah Wood and Ann - his wife.
August 22 1737 - First marriage in the new church. Wm. Cassel and Sarah Harde.

EARLY PARISH REGISTERS
* Book I Baptisms 1560- 1673
Burials 1560- 1677
Marriages 1560- 1647
** Book II Baptisms 1680- 1743
Burials 1678- 1747
Marriages 1678- 1732
*** Book III Baptisms 1678- 1738
Burials 1678- 1741
Marriages 1675- 1741
Book IV Baptisms 1742-1781
Burials 1741 - 1781
Marriages 1742- 1753
Book V Baptisms 1781 - 1812
Burials 1781 - 1812
Book VI Marriages 1754- 1797
Book VII Marriages 1797- 1812

* Book I belongs to W. Homdon and contains a note that up to 1669 no marriages had been celebrated from 1647.
** Book II belongs to W. Homdon and should have been closed in 1734 but it contains some later entries parallel with those in the second part of Book III.
*** Book III belonged to Ingrave and was closed in 1734 and begun again in 1734 as the Register of the united parishes of West Homdon with Ingrave.
Books IV to VII are, of course, the Registers of the consolidated parishes.

MUSICIANS
William Byrd the famous Elizabethan composer and organist, one of the fathers of English music, is recorded as having stayed with Lord Petre at old Thomdon Hall three times in 1586-7 and again in 1589-90 when he would have played upon the double virginals and visited the old St Nicholas' Church. He later settled at Stondon Massey where he died in 1623. His tutor was Thomas Tallis who may also have visited Thomdon with him.

Vaughan Williams visited Ingrave on December 4th 1903 when collecting old folk songs for posterity. His lovely song 'Bushes and Briars' was recorded here and the inscription on the manuscript reads 'Sung by Mr. Pottipher - labourer (-) (aged) about 70. December 4th 1903 at Ingrave, near Brentwood, Essex."

Mr Pottipher lived in one of the two old cottages in 'Glow-worm Alley' so known in the 1900's by local people for its proliferation of glow-worms, it being the path running from the church to Middle Road (formerly Rectory Lane). Mr. Pottipher is still remembered in the village.

MOTHERS' UNION
The inauguration of an Ingrave Branch of the Mothers' Union took place on January 10th 1945, when 19 mothers were enrolled. In addition, three members were commended from other Branches. The new branch started with a membership of 22. The Rural Dean was present at the enrolment and gave the address. The Deanery presiding member was Mrs Crawshay. The banner fund was started with a donation of £1.10 shillings, and on Mothering Sunday 1947 a banner was dedicated.

A new banner was started towards the end of 1985, and on 22nd June 1986 it was dedicated. It was worked in commemoratrion of Mrs Joan Balls and was ready for the 250th Aniversary of St Noicholas' Church, celebrated over the weekend of 5th and 6th July 1986.

In September 1995 the St Nicholas' MU celebrated its Golden Jubilee, following the refurbishment of the church.
 
ST. STEPHEN'S, INGRAVE
DAUGHTER CHURCH OF ST NICHOLAS'
The Revd G. E. Porter came as Rector of St Nicholas in April 1953, knowing that a new church was to be built to serve the growing population of the new East Ham Housing Estate, of which church he would also be Rector. Work commenced on the new church in the autumn of 1954. On March 26th 1955 the foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr. Sherard Falkner Allison, D.D., who returned on January 28th 1956 and dedicated the new church of St. Stephen, Ingrave. The Rector moved into the new rectory by St Stephen's and the rectory at the side of St. Nicholas Church was pulled down in due course. A road was driven in and houses built on the site of the old rectory. It is now called Pittmans Close after the first occupier of the old building, the Revd Sidney Pittman.

In 1981 St Stephen's became an independent church, with an independent Mothers' Union. A house in Thorndon Gate was bought as the rectory for St Nicholas' Church.

RECENT REFURBISHMENT WORKS
Following receipt of a legacy from Bertha Payne it became financially possible to carry out the following refurbishment works which were completed in 1995.

The Tower – The old leaking zinc roof covering was removed together with decayed roof boarding and joists. Sound existing timbers were retained and treated with preservative, new roof joists, boarding and a lead roof covering were installed. The crumbling top outer skin of the tower brickwork was removed and re-built with purpose-made bricks to match the existing ones. New stone corbels were also built in.

The Main Roof – The old defective roof tiles and battens were removed and replaced with new treated battens and hand made clay
tiles. The existing timber roof structure was debrided, repaired, strengthened and treated with preservative. The roof works had to
be timed to avoid disturbing the brown bats which nest in the roof void.

The Interior – The pews were removed, stripped back to natural wood and the seat backs reclined, prior to re-installation, and the font was moved to its present position. The choir pews were removed to allow the altar plinth to be enlarged; the chancel was carpeted and the nave re-floored with linoleum tiles. The walls and ceiling were stripped back to bare plaster and re-decorated with a moisture permeable lime based paint, the cornice being picked out in contrasting colours. The light fittings were replaced with chandeliers and re-wired.

Following this major refurbishment some of the on-going repair work has included: repairs and re-pointing to the turrets, reinstatement of the flagpole and rope safety handrails to the turret stairs.