Essential works to make the 14th century church of St Mary Magdalene at Fifehead Magdalen fit and safe to use in good time for Christmas are getting under way

After falls of plaster from the ceiling, St Mary Magdalene’s at Fifehead Magdalen had to be closed and services relocated to the village hall.

The state of the work currently. All the old plaster has been stripped off and the laths repaired. Application of the first coat of plaster has just started

Now, after a major fundraising drive, SRL Lime Plastering is renewing the nave ceiling, which was last carried out over 120 years ago. Specialist lime work, involving up to four coats of plaster, is essential and quite expensive.

Fundraisers are grateful for several grants towards the cost of the work, particularly from Dorset Historic Churches Trust which has given two awards, totalling £6,500, to ensure the work is under way and will be completed before winter begins to bite. Church treasurer Rosemary Redwood said: “It is such a privilege to be working on this beautiful Blackmore Vale church and to be getting it repaired not just for this Christmas but, we hope, for many years to come.
“Our very grateful thanks goes to all the grant bodies which contributed to the work including Dorset Historic Churches, Erskine Muton Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and the All Churches Trust.
“Without the support of grant bodies such as these we could not possibly raise the funds to undertake projects of this scale.”
Simon Leach, whose firm is doing the work, added: “Lime work takes time and care but will be really worth it in the end. We look forward to seeing the church re-opened by November.”