Images (1998) showing works to the south Aisle roof.
All ancient churches develop roof problems over the years but thankfully they stay good for a century or so after being renewed!
Our church has 5 roof sections namely the Tower Roof, North & South Aisles, Nave (central section) and the Chancel (over communion rail) none of which have been touched since they were replaced during the last renovation of the church in the 1860s.
However an inspection carried out in 1994 revealed the need for extensive work to the north aisle roof.
Opening up of this part of the roof revealed that the main aisle roof timbers on that side were rotten and in urgent need of replacement. Further investigation by the architect indicated that it was likely that the south aisle roof timbers would be in a similar condition. This stimulated much village discussion on restoration from which emerged the original ideas of developing & extending the Church buildings for community use.
The Friends of All Saints Church (FASC) was established as a result to raise funds. Considerable efforts ensued to include the first of many Open Gardens events plus numerous village suppers, events and & raffles. In 1998 works got underway to replace the north & south aisle roofs and the Tower roof.
Further inspection eighteen years later found that the Chancel roof needed replacing. It is covered with Swithland slates but around two dozen of them have slipped or broken. 
A lot of the pointing has fallen away whilst internally plaster is falling off the top right hand side of the east wall of the chancel, above the precious Strachan window.
Further more this inspection found that the lead sheet covering the central nave of the church has thinned considerably over its 150 years of service, so it too needs to be replaced. However when these works are done, the whole church roof should be good for another 100 years!
Thankfully these works to the roof have been included in the estimations for the overall Village Centre project! Work is due to start in the autumn of 2016 and the necessary scaffolding will be erected toward the end of the summer.
Funding for this has already been secured thanks to a grant of £109,800 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (Listed Places of Worship) plus £20,000 from the Friends of All Saints Church (FASC.)
Completion of this will be a tremendous first step in the overall project to renovate and extend our church buildings to create the planned new Village Centre. (see next Post for update on these 2016/17 re-roofing works)