Following a successful Faculty application, specialists from Chroma Conservation, working at St Edmund’s Church, Egleton, removed the dust of ages and a wax coating used as ‘protection’ early in the 20th century, to show a previously obscured depiction of the Coat of Arms of George lll (1760-1820).
Its features include a quartered shield with England, Scotland, and Ireland, surrounded by the Order of the Garter, topped by an imperial crown with a crowned lion crest, and supported by a crowned lion and a unicorn. The conservators also reported evidence of another picture which may have extended across the arch. A figure on the right is believed to be Moses or Aaron.
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Moses before & after |
The conservation work was completed with the help of the Church Building Council and financial support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Rutland Historic Churches Preservation Trust and The Leche Trust.
It is part of the final phase of an extensive conservation schedule which included stone masonry repairs to the east wall; replacement of the chancel roof covering with stainless steel: repair and redecoration of the chancel, nave and porch; restoration of porch scriptural wooden tablets and work to protect soprano pipistrelle bats which occupy the church roof from spring to autumn.
St Edmund’s church warden Brian Chester said: “Restoration and conservation over the past five years has brought the condition of the church building to a new level and removed St Edmund’s from Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register.
“Our architect, Stephanie Norris, after a recent survey, praised our treasurer Keith Starling for raising the required finance, overseeing each project and reported the church ‘Is in the best state of repair that it has been for many years.’
“The Parochial Church Council and our regular congregation greatly appreciate all that has been achieved and the financial support given locally and from a range of grant giving organisations all of which has ensured that St Edmund’s will be both a place of prayer and worship and fascinating history for many years to come.”