MP Jesse Norman visits St Michael's Church in Michaelchurch
Jesse Norman, MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, joined volunteers and staff to see conservation of 13th-century wallpaintings taking place at St Michael's Church in Michaelchurch.
The Churches Conservation Trust is undertaking a project to save the St Michael's wall paintings from rising damp. As well as conserving the wall paintings, the CCT have installed a new drainage system to ensure that the problem doesn't reoccur.
Throughout the project onsite wall painting conservation training has been provided to students and an Open Day in September invited local residents to try out surveying techniques.
The MP, who is Chair of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, thanked local volunteers for their support with the project and praised The Churches Conservation Trust for ensuring the 950 year old church will be conserved for future generations to enjoy.
After his visit, Jesse Norman explained:
“It was a pleasure to discover this hidden gem in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside and to see first hand the quality of the conservation work being carried out by The Churches Conservation Church. St Michael's is lucky to have such an excellent team of dedicated volunteers.”
The church will be open daily from the 26th October for visitors to enjoy. If you would like to join the volunteer team please get in touch with Deborah Hext on [email protected]
Photograph by Allan Ockenden. From left to right: Sarah Girling (Hereford Diocese), Alex Inkin (local resident), John Handby (local resident), Sophie Hughes (local resident), David Harlow (Hereford County Councillor for the Ward), Jesse Norman (MP), Jenny Ludlow (local resident), Edmund Inkin (local resident), Colin Shearer (The Churches Conservation Trust), Harry Waymouth (local volunteer), Kalypso Kampani (wall painting conservator), Allan Ockenden (Area Volunteer), Mark Lidster (Corbel Conservation)