A fundraising effort is underway to conserve a fragile Royal Arms of Charles II wall painting in St Mary the Virgin church in Syde.
St Mary’s is a grade I listed Norman church. Its tower has a ‘saddle-back’ roof, characteristic of its region in the Cotswolds, and the nave has a rare tie-beam roof built in the 1400s. Syde is the second smallest parish in England, with only 13 houses and this tiny community is trying to raise funds of around £166,500.
The works include the repair of the church’s roof and the conservation of wall paintings which date back to between the 13th and 18th century. The 17th century Royal Arms of Charles II is most clearly visible, but at least 7 phases of painting or decoration are present altogether, testifying to painting renewal from the medieval period up to possibly about the 1700s. The roof needs complete restoration to keep it watertight, and to protect its tie-beams from rotting. This is estimated to cost around £150,000. Another £16,500 is needed to clean and stabilise the church’s fragile wall paintings.
Since 2015 parishioners have managed to raise over £155,000 for the roof repairs, but they need a further £10,500 for these features to be repaired and conserved.
They are extremely grateful for a substantial grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and also significant contributions from Garfield Weston Foundation, Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust, Enovert Community Trust (via Entrust), Benefact Trust, Lasletts Hinton Charity, Warneford Ecclesiastical Charity.
They have set up a GoFundMe page and are appealing for any donations, no matter how small; visit the page here.
If you would like to donate, contact Roger Schofield, St Mary’s Church Treasurer, at Â.mo1745952737c.lia1745952737mg@ed1745952737ysyra1745952737mts1745952737
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