St Edmund’s, Egleton, removed from Heritage at Risk Register after major repairs

St Edmund’s Church in Egleton, a Grade I listed Norman building, was placed on the register in 2022 after significant issues with its roof and drainage led to damp and structural concerns. In 2025, after three years of careful planning, fundraising and restoration, the church was officially taken off the list. 

Set at the heart of a village of around 90 residents and situated along popular walking and cycling routes near Rutland Water, St Edmund’s welcomes more than 2,000 visitors each year. However, its future had been uncertain. 

A Quinquennial Inspection Report had identified serious problems, including a deteriorating Victorian lead roof, rotting timbers and ineffective drainage with damp leading to mould forming on the Romanesque arch pillars all of which resulted in its inclusion on the register as a building at risk of slow decay with no agreed solution. 

Keith Starling, Treasurer at St Edmund’s, said the designation proved to be a turning point. 

“We knew about the problems, but being added to the Heritage at Risk Register was the kickstart we needed,” he said. 

“The inspections had identified exactly what the major issues were.... the problem was we really didn’t have any money in the bank. So just getting started was a daunting task.”   

Fundraising became the first priority, and despite the size of the village, the local community responded with strong support. 

“I thought it was more important at that stage getting lots of respondents...than the money itself, because we could show that the village was behind the church,” shared Keith.  

“We raised about £10,000 from that [first] appeal, which was a really positive start. But a major kickstart came out of the blue.  

“A former church warden, who had moved away a few years ago, got in touch after reading our annual newsletter. He explained that there was a gift for the church in his will but after hearing about the work that was needed, he offered us the money upfront.” 

This was a significant boost and enabled the parish to appoint a conservation-accredited architect and begin developing plans. 

With initial momentum established, the church began the process of securing permissions, applying for grants and addressing underlying issues including drainage repairs. Careful planning proved essential. 

“Getting the timing right was a big challenge. You have to line up the funding. Some funders only give grants once a year, so you need to be organised when applying for them,” says Keith.   

Alongside the logistical challenges, the project also had to navigate environmental considerations. Bats had been entering the roof through gaps in the structure, causing damage and requiring specialist support. 

Working with the national Bats in Churches project, the team ensured that repairs were carried out sensitively, allowing bats to continue roosting safely. However, the presence of bats restricted when certain work could take place, adding further complexity to the schedule. 

Despite these challenges, a combination of detailed preparation and steady project management ensured that the work progressed successfully. 

Grant funding played a crucial role. Initial fundraising allowed the project to start, but it was through a series of well-researched grant applications that the church secured the funding required to complete the repairs. 

Support came from a range of sources, including, but not limited to, the Rutland Historic Churches Trust and the National Churches Trust, which together contributed significant funding and in some cases, grants exceeded the amounts originally requested. 

Throughout the process, a conscious effort was made to celebrate progress and share updates. This helped maintain momentum, encouraged further donations and demonstrated to funders that the project was moving forward. 

In 2025, after several years of effort, the results were clear. The roof and drainage issues had been resolved, the building’s historic fabric protected, and the interior restored to good condition. As a result, St Edmund’s was removed from the Heritage at Risk Register. 

Visitors to the church have already noticed the improvements, and the building is once again secure for the future. 

Reflecting on the achievement, Keith said: 

“It’s very reassuring now to know that there aren’t likely to be any major problems with the building for the next 50 years or more.” 

The experience at St Edmund’s shows that, even for small communities, it is possible to tackle significant repair challenges. With careful planning, strong local support and perseverance, churches at risk can be restored and sustained for generations to come.