Discoveries and Brasso

We’re not posting any wide shots of the interior of the church now until the re-opening on the 1st February. Work continues daily getting the church ready for that. In our images this week you can see church members polishing the 18th century chandeliers but also Landworks collecting a few of the old long pews to repurpose at their Dartington workshop. Ellis & Co. are plastering in the sanctuary where a large chunk of modern sand and cement had come adrift. It is being replaced with proper lime plaster and the photo shows the first coat. While cutting back in preparation for that, an unusual feature was discovered in the wall, possibly the stone housing for a medieval aumbry where the reserved sacrament would have been kept. It is too small to be a piscina. Although it is now plastered over again, we know where it is and further research may confirm its function. Also exposed to the right of the commemorative plaque is a round piece of stone, similar to some in the exterior east wall, which are thought to be sawn up pieces of the columns from the Norman church.