After hundred years of exposure to wind, rain, snow, ice and sunshine, the current condition of St Oswald’s South Aisle and Transept roofs have deteriorated, with signs of wear and water damage becoming more evident.
Our church here in Ashbourne is not only a place of worship, it’s also a cherished piece of the town's history.
That is why we’re investing, with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, at St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne, in the complete replacement of the South Aisle and South Transept lead roofs to preserve one of Ashbourne's most treasured buildings.
Working on St Oswald's Church as a listed building presents its own unique set of challenges. Careful consideration must be taken to ensure that any restoration work is carried out in a way that respects the historical significance of the building, while also meeting modern construction standards.
This is no ordinary roof replacement. St Oswald’s requires specialist heritage craftsmanship to ensure that both South-facing roofs are not only restored to their former glories, but also made more resilient for the long term.
We’ll be using local craftsmen with decades of experience to ensure the lead they lay provides a tight seal that protects the underlying structure, our valuable artefacts and our church organ from water damage.
Lead craftsmanship is exceptionally hard because it requires mastering a heavy metal that behaves completely differently from other building materials. Unlike modern materials that are screwed or glued, traditional architectural leadwork relies entirely on manual manipulation, precise geometry, and an understanding of thermal expansion.
If a craftsman fixes lead too tightly, it will buckle, crack, and fail. The installer must design complex, free-floating joints (like rolls and drips) to let the building breathe. And regulations must be strictly adhered to, to protect the craftsmen when handling, cutting and shaping each roll of lead.
Once we appoint the best high-quality, traditional craftsmen, we’ll let you know when we’ll be starting lead replacement in 2027, to ensure you and our church are safely protected for generations to come.
We’ll be sharing updates weekly in the newsletter, on our website and with the Derby Diocese.