Casework
Above and left, St Peter’s, Oundle, which dates in main from the 13th to the 15th centuries. The parish wishes to extend access to the church through the very fine, late 15th-century south porch (left), work whichwould involve a considerable amount of physical intervention into what is a largely untouched part of the building. The SPAB urges the use of another, less sensitive entrance to the church to improve access
in excellent condition, but needed some comparatively minor repair. Meanwhile, to complicate matters the parish accepted the offer of three more bells from the Keltek Trust (a Trust which finds homes for bells from closed churches). The Tower Captain has reported that there is little movement when the bells are rung. Following an inspection and advice from a
structural engineer who was deemed “acceptable” to the parish and the bell hanger, the parish is considering one of two proposals. The first would result in the destruction of much of the 1660s frame, and the second the preservation of the frame without its ring of bells, the installation of a new floor below the existing belfry floor and the installation of a new steel frame. Structural engineer Clive Haywood has
visited on behalf of the Society. His advice is unequivocal: “The frame is fantastic and the
ends of the foundation beams need a micro drill survey and maybe a minor repair as does one corner. Really minor stuff compared with the overall condition.” What is being contemplated is destruction of
a piece of craftsmanship which has survived unscathed for 350 years, when all that is needed is modest repair. We will fight to see this bell frame repaired and its bells rehung according to the original Faculty. In our view it would be entirely
inappropriate for the Chancellor to consider making a variation to permit an application for either option being considered by the parish on the basis that either variation is a fundamental reversal of the Faculty already granted. In the event that the parish decides not to continue to use the bell frame we trust that the Chancellor will require the parish to submit a new Faculty Petition with full supporting information,
including Statements of Need and Significance. A Consistory Court would follow from our opposition to the proposals which would allow all matters to be aired publicly. At the heart of the Faculty Jurisdiction is a
democratic process. It would set a fearful precedent for the Chancellor to set this aside and to decide that he has the authority to issue a variation on such a fundamental reversal. There exists no comparable power in the secular system.
CatherineCullis
Former SPAB Scholar Maya Polenz represented the Society at a visit with members of the DiocesanAdvisory Committee (DAC), parish and their professional advisor to consider a broad range of proposals for the interior of St Peter’s, Oundle, including providing equal access. The church is built on a noble scale. Much of what survives dates from the 13th to the 15th centuries, and its spire is the tallest in Northamptonshire. This thriving church is host to the Oundle Music Festival and is engaged in youth work as well as being extensively used by the local and wider community. While the Society is sympathetic to the
St Peter’s Church Oundle Northamptonshire
parish’s wish to provide a new gate to the west doorway to stop the misuse of the tower entrance, we considered that the proportions of the proposed design were unresponsive to the architecture of the very fine archway.
Cornerstone, Vol 32, No 2 2011 21
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