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PIPING AND CLERGY VESTRY PROJECTS
The church
heating system dated from 1896 and in 1985 a study
reported that it was old, inefficient and nearing the
end of its life. The recommendation was that the whole
system, the boiler and the piping, should be replaced by
modern equipment. However, financial constraints
dictated that only the boiler could be replaced at that
time. Over the next 20 years, the Victorian four inch
cast iron piping became ever more prone to leakage,
which culminated in a major and expensive repair in
2005, after which the PCC decided that the installation
of modern piping could be deferred no longer. In the
meanwhile, the replacement boiler failed in the very
cold winter of 2002/3 and was replaced by a far more
capable unit.
The piping
work was undertaken during February this year by AD
Mechanicals of Portsmouth. The new equipment follows
the same course as its predecessor but comprises one
level of two inch finned piping, which will be more
efficient, use much less water (and thus less fuel) and
should eliminate the long-standing problems of leakage.
Concurrent
with this piping installation, renovation of the clergy
vestry has been completed with the re-plastering and
lime-washing of all of the walls.
Together,
these two projects amount to the most substantial
improvement to be undertaken in this church since the
extensive re-roofing ten years ago. They provide a
valuable legacy to our successors.
Bob Wright
(263771) |