St Andrew ïs Church, Middleton · St Andrew’s Church, Middleton, Near Pickering, North Yorkshire...
Transcript of St Andrew ïs Church, Middleton · St Andrew’s Church, Middleton, Near Pickering, North Yorkshire...
St Andrew’s Church, Middleton
NORTH YORKSHIRE
St. Andrews Church Final Evaluation | GP – 15 - 01405 | 2018
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 1
Contents Page
Page No 2 Project Partners 3 Introduction – Evaluation Process 5 Introduction to the Project 7 Development 10 Delivery Stage Part A 16 Delivery Stage Part B 24 Open Day 30 Next Steps 30 Summary 31 Legacy Outcome Evidence 32 Lessons learned 33 Conclusion 35 36
References Credits
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 2
Project Partners
Parochial Church Council of St. Andrews, Middleton, Middleton,
Pickering YO18 8PB – Project Manager: Mr. Frank Bailey
Principal Designer/Architect: Andrew Boyce of Ferrey and
Mennim, Innovation Way, York YO10 5DG
Eurosafe UK: Construction Safety Consultants, CDM Consultants
and Asbestos Surveyors’ Eurosafe House, Centurion Park, Tribune
Way, York YO30 4RY
Principal Contractor: Burrows Davies Limited, The Stoneyard,
Haxby Moor Road, Strensall, York YO32 5WH
Electrical Contractor: Plowman Electrical LLP, 42 Mill Lane, York
YO32 2PY
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 3
INTRODUCTION
Heritage Lottery Fund Project GP15-01405
THE EVALUATION PROCESS
SCOPE
1. To provide an independent assessment of what St. Andrew’s
Church, Middleton (GP-15 – 01405) has achieved (its outputs), what
the benefits have been for heritage and for people and what lasting
impact the project will have made (its legacy) for heritage and
people.
2. Celebrate successes and pay tribute to the hard work of
volunteers, project leaders, partners and the St. Andrew’s team.
3. Consider what has worked particularly well and what may
not have worked so well and identify the lessons that may be drawn
for the future.
FINAL EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
This report was designed to provide an independent assessment of
what the project has delivered (outputs), what the benefits
(outcomes) have been for heritage and people and what lasting
impact it plans to make and has already achieved(legacy).
BACKGROUND
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) require that projects in receipt of
funding should conduct a final evaluation towards the end of the
scheme and submit a satisfactory report (embodying the results of
the final evaluation) before it can sign off the scheme and release the
final 10% of grant money. The report must be an objective evaluation
of what has been achieved.
The report should also be a testimony to the work of all those
involved, to celebrate the successes and consider what differences it
has made to the local area. It should also consider what may not have
worked so well and the lessons that may be drawn for the future. It
is a document for St. Andrew’s Church and it’s PCC as a whole, for
its partners, for participants, volunteers and the wider public.
Beyond the building reparation and replacement phase directly
linked to the upgrading of the church a need to engage with the
wider community to maximize the improved historical resource was
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 4
identified. The PCC created a subcommittee -The Greater Awareness
Committee who were charged with this responsibility including the
raising of funds to meet shortfalls or the cost of additional sub
projects within the overall longer-term scheme.
The Greater Awareness Committee recognized that there was a need
to:
• Look beyond the outputs (as measures of activity) to
outcomes (longer term benefits to heritage and in particular those
that would endure beyond the end of the HLF funding (legacy), with
particular attention on community engagement and the historical
and religious activity focusing on the Viking Crosses.
• Work with partnerships and project partners as a
participative process which enhances delivery rather than it being an
external assessment of achievement
• Use a wide variety of evidence including qualitative as well as
quantitative evidence indicators.
The HLF guidance on evaluation makes a distinction between
outputs (as measures of project activity supported by the grant) and
outcomes (their longer-term benefits to heritage and for people).
Legacy comprises those outcomes that endure beyond the HLF grant
and includes any planned longer-term benefits.
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
• Quantitative data is based primarily on information supplied
by the St. Andrew’s Team, including the Greater Awareness
Committee and focusses on outcomes and legacy that were collated
in liaison with all parties including partnership members, project
leads and participants who are able to provide invaluable advice,
information and assistance.
• Desk Research utilized supporting documentation,
monitoring spreadsheets, minutes of meetings, interim reports and
background information, including photographic evidence.
• Key Information Interviews – either on site or by telephone
of experts, volunteers, project participants
• Site Visits
• An Evaluation and Legacy Workshop
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 5
THE PROJECT: St Andrew’s, Middleton: Renewing Main Lead Roof,
stonework to North Aisle and Essential Repairs: GP – 15 - 01405
INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT
St Andrew’s Church, Middleton, Near Pickering, North
Yorkshire
The Anglican church of St. Andrew’s, Middleton in the diocese of
York is an active church providing pastoral, charity and community
support. It also provides services for weddings, baptisms and
funerals. The church is shared with local Methodists who lead their
own monthly service. The church and its extensive churchyard are
used by villagers in Middleton and the adjacent villages of Aislaby
and Wrelton.
The grade one listed building houses a number of significantly
important heritage items including Viking stone carved crosses and
a pulpit used by John Wesley, the English cleric and theologian.
There is a Sunday school which meets away from the church and a
bell ringing group who practice and provide a service to the church.
This activity takes place within a building that was in a state of
disrepair and substantial water damage which was having a severe
and detrimental effect on the fabric of the building. The overriding
imperative by the PCC and the community was to ensure that the
church remained open and provide opportunities that would
facilitate the continued use of the building and its historical content,
as well as providing a resource, which was dry and warm, and be fit
for purpose.
During a period of an extended interregnum the Parochial Church
Council (PCC) managed an opportunity to deliver a project to ensure
that:
• the Grade 1 listed building was saved
• the building was returned to a state sufficient that it was
returned to purpose, using traditional crafts and artisan
trades
• the historic inheritance was displayed and made accessible to
all relevant individuals, groups, authorities and partners
• the building was enhanced by providing kitchen and toilet
facilities both for the community and for visitors
• educational and leisure opportunities become accessible
through a greater awareness program
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• support resources are designed, delivered and distributed
both in paper and electronic formats (a dedicated web site)
to promote and develop the project.
THE PROJECT OUTLINE
St Andrew’s Church is a Grade 1 listed building – the earliest part
being Norman, over 1,000 years old with substantiated evidence that
the site was used by the Vikings. A collection of carved Viking stones
and crosses were discovered and are displayed. The church has a
forty-foot Norman Tower, which display fine stone features
including a Saxon Cross.
Over many years the external and internal condition of all aspects of
the building have significantly deteriorated mainly due to damage
caused by wind and water, which in turn was compromising many
aspects of historic stone and glass work, timbers and plasterwork.
A project to rectify these issues needed to be determined and
approved and funding sought to enable a positive outcome.
The first part of the project is described as the development stage.
The second part of the project is described as the delivery stage,
Part A and B
Delivery Stage – Part A – was determined following the
investigative stage and was shaped by the architectural and
professional contributions and framed within the funding
possibilities and focusses on all aspects of the building work.
Delivery Stage – Part B – chronicles and evaluates the delivery of
the agreements and contracts determined and agreed within Part A,
a section of which evaluates the outputs, outcomes and legacy
aspects of the project.
The report will sub divide in to the three stages:
1. Development
A description of the investigative work, a summary of the findings
and how the scope of the project developed
2. Delivery Stage Part A – Construction
An account of all aspects of construction, internal and external from
start to completion
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 7
3. Delivery Stage Part B – Outputs, Outcomes, Legacy
A description of the achieved and planned outcomes, outputs and
legacy targets
1. DEVELOPMENT A number of professional organizations were involved in
the development stage commissioned to assess the
current state of building and its environs.
Architects: Ferrey and Mennim, York
Building Contractor: Burrows Davies Ltd, York
STONEWORK: The condition of the stonework to the
whole church, but with special attention being given to
the North Aisle and an analysis of the stone was
undertaken by Master Mason Matthias Garn and the
Project Manager Frank Bailey, under the guidance of the
project architect Andrew Boyce and a representative
from English Heritage.
Samples of the stone were taken and a method of using
new stone facings which would be affixed to medieval
weathered stone needed to be devised. The importance
of retaining and preserving the original material was a
priority. However, it was clear that a minimum number
of stone window tracings would need to be replaced.
Analysis of the stone samples determined that the stone
was a local limestone and although not available locally
quarries in nearby Whitby or in Cornwall were located.
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD: Historic Buildings
Archaeologist, Colin Briden, using a mobile hoist
provided internal and external photographic records and
in particular of the lead roof and its construction. The old
medieval roof is now recorded for posterity and its
pattern and the structure of its features such as the
hollow lead rolls are able to be re-created in the
replacement roof.
CDM REPORT AND SUPPORT: Eurosafe UK (CDM
Services) Ltd carried out and compiled the report
outlining the essential elements of health and safety and
welfare on site during the complex investigations.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 8
ECOLOGY REPORT: The discovery of bats in the church
roof necessitated a report from MAB Environment and
Ecology Ltd who informed the team that the Common
Pipistrelle were utilizing the roof space, but only in the
summer months. This information enabled the designers
and contractors to determine the scope and timing of the
necessary work. These interventions came as a two-part
survey report, the first ‘Bat Scoping’ and second ‘Bat
Emergence’ compiled by Giles Manners led to a
successful project outcome being managed effectively.
STAINED AND OTHER GLASS: A survey and report
undertaken by Barley Studio’s (Design and mastery in
Stained Glass) examined whether there had been a
deterioration in the stone caused by the effect of the
ingress of water from the leaded windows as well as the
metal windows and the internal plaster work. A
comprehensive survey on the condition of all the glass
was undertaken and a report compiled. The findings were
incorporated in to the program of work for action in the
delivery phase. Two specific stained-glass windows were
highlighted of being of heritage and historic interest.
ASBESTOS: Following an extensive survey it was
concluded that asbestos was not present within the
church or any working areas. Particular attention was
paid to the old underground heating ducting which
would have previously been coated in asbestos lagging.
The Church therefore received a Nil report.
DRAINAGE, GUTTERS AND FALL PIPE AND
RAINWATER OUTLETS: In conjunction with the
architect an experienced builder and the Project Manager
inspected all aspects of these issues which led to the
compilation of a report and the compilation of a repair
and replacement schedule for all the fall pipes and
gutters. It is recognized that this will be an ongoing
maintenance issue to be addressed.
STRUCTURAL SURVEY OF THE ROOF -INTERNAL
AND EXTERNAL: Using mobile scaffolding the roof and
its structures were examined. Externally lead was
removed from the main roof to ascertain the extent of the
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 9
water damage and the void between the timbers
supporting the lead and the internal timbers that can be
seen from inside the church. Decisions were made on
how to seal up any voids and at the same time explore
and deliver a solution as to the location of the bat access
both during and after the construction work.
ADDITIONAL REPORTS: A number of inspections and
examinations to the tower external walls, stone work and
other less critical aspects of the building were
undertaken. The composite of these reports was used to
compile a Planned Maintenance Survey Report and
critically were used in designing and estimating the costs
of the project. A successful bid for the funding was made
which facilitated the move from Development in to the
Delivery Stage-Part A.
It is worth noting that when contractor tenders were
received they exceeded the estimates and critical
negotiations between HLF, Historic England, the
Architect and the Project Manager had to determine a
way of re-scoping the project in such a way that it did not
detract from its original core objectives. The outcome
was that the PCC would make additional funding
available from their own resources. This caused a further
delay when the successful contractor had committed to
other work.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 10
DELIVERY STAGE – PART A: The delivery of the construction work was challenging.
This section of the report is mainly pictorial, showing key
aspects of the work that has been completed, resulting in
a dry and secure building with additional facilities. The
skill and determination of the Project Manager to ‘make
progress’ cannot be under-estimated.
In summary the completed work:
• New lead covering to the Main Roof and Tower
• Repairs to other roofs
• Lead repairs to North Aisle of Roof
• Stonework – repairs and replacement
• Repairs and limited replacement of rainwater
goods
• Configuration and repairs to underground
drainage
• Installation of WC with access for all
• Installation of a built-in kitchenette
Scaffolding is erected so that work can begin
Preparing roof timbers, locating bat entrance and new
leaded roof
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 11
Showing lead work using traditional craft method
Showing ground works in preparation for new floor,
external stone repair and timber replacement.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 12
On site preparation of replacement window stone work
Window reconstruction with newly carved stone affixed
to medieval original
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Showing a before and after of the window and door on
the North Aisle (Insert shows door from inside the
church)
Showing stained glass windows throughout
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 14
Showing external and internal works including drainage
and floor preparation
The toilet – construction to completion
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 15
The Kitchenette
Roof prior to repair Roof repaired
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 16
DELIVERY STAGE – PART B With the overriding imperative being the completion of
the work that would result in the building being wind and
waterproofed, and providing the basic facilities of a toilet
and kitchen, focus returned to the delivery of the project
outcomes; the difference the project will make for
heritage and the difference it will make for people and
the wider community.
Much of the delivery would only be possible once the
building work was completed as much depended upon
the facilities being available and the building being safe
and weatherproof. Nonetheless the Greater Awareness
Committee concurrently planned a series of initiatives
that would use the time constructively to prepare for the
attainment of the longer-term goals.
An OPEN DAY was planned for the earliest date available
following the completion of the work on site. Delays in
completion meant that the date had to be pushed back to
August 25th 2018. This was the first opportunity for the
building to be made accessible to the public.
In preparation for the OPEN DAY a number of resources
were required and were delivered on time to facilitate the
day and its associated activities:
GUIDEBOOK - a new guide
book was commissioned.
Building on the previous
guides published in 1939 and
2000 the new 40-page full
colour book described the
physical and architectural
features of the Church and
presents a picture of the
Church and its place within
the community. It also gives
readers the opportunity to
engage with the current
developments with plans and
schedules relating to the longer-term aspirations for the
church.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 17
PRESENTATIONS were designed and developed and
used to inform and educate. These presentations
stimulated interest and indicated the level of support and
interest that might be activated at a later date.
A publicity leaflet was designed and posted throughout
the local villages and was sent with a personal letter to
professional colleagues, friends and others inviting them
to attend the Open day.
A Viking Trail around the church was devised
based around a Viking character named ‘Sweyn’.
Focused on children the challenge would be to
follow a route around the
church and identify a number
of key points of interest, the
font; the crosses, the
misericord, the altar etc. At
each point there would a wooden carving of Sweyn which
had been donated by local wood carvers and an
information board.
The booklet, accompanied by a visual in the form of an MP4
file, is available on a touch screen computer as are two
additional presentations showing historic pictures of the
church and its activities in previous times and one which
pictorially displayed all stages of the construction work
and outcomes detailed in the project.
A photographic record of the work undertaken in Phase 1
of the renovation and repairs to St. Andrew’s Church, Middleton
A fourth presentation was created and used in the initial
stages of the project to inform the residents of the villages
about the scope and significance of the work being
undertaken and how they might engage with different
aspects of the work. The Project manager used this
presentation at events in the Village Hall and on one
occasion when the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu
visited the site.
St. Andrew’s Church Middleton
Preparing for
internal
examinations
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 18
The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu at a presentation in the
Middleton and Aislaby Village Hall
The presentations informed and encouraged visitors and
the local residents as to how they might engage with the
project. These presentations were cited by some people
as the reason they had attended the Open Day.
In preparing for the Open Day
the importance and display of
the Viking Crosses was a key
factor in attracting visitors. The
crosses and other items, were
moved to the North Aisle, with
the help of the builders, so that
the public would have
unhindered access. Display
boards were produced with
information about the crosses
and additional ones for Health
and Safety. The exhibiting of the crosses was recognized
as being an interim measure as plans for their long-term
display remains under discussion. However, the changes
made a significant difference.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 19
Showing a sample of the Viking Crosses in the North Aisle
Viking artefacts were
borrowed from the Jorvik
Museum. Local wood
carvers donated a number
of model Viking
Longboats all of which
were displayed around
the church. Linked activities on the day included offering
visitors the opportunity to make a floral display with a
Viking theme. Books and films were made available as a
resource to anyone who wished to undertake further
research.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 20
DEDICATED WEB SITE: www.standrewsmiddletonchurch.weebly.com
Home Page
History
Project
Development
Viking Crosses
Viking Trail
Evaluation
Contact
Resource Links
The dedicated web site was designed and built to enable
users to find and use all the materials used in the delivery
and evaluation process, giving access to photographs and
information about the church, the Viking Crosses, the
newly designed Viking Trail and to engage with the plans
for the development of the improved community
resource.
The pages or sections of the web site have been designed
to encourage visitors to explore different interests. The
web page will also link to the Digital Grave Locator which
carries local history information as well as full and
detailed information about each grave in the grave yard.
Together these two resources provide an invaluable
resource for the local community, for educational
establishments and voluntary organisations.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 21
The website is one of the main engagement tools and has
been enormously successful at helping the project to
reach a wide and varied audience.
DIGITAL GRAVE LOCATOR AND LOCAL
HISTORY RESOURCE:
The church has been gifted a computer based digital
grave locator and local history resource. Designed in
Excel software the project has provided the church and
visitors with an IT/e solution to locating where ancestors
are buried.
The acquisition of a touch
screen computer by the PCC
has enabled an individual to
access the name of their
ancestors, then access an on-
screen image of the
associated monumental
inscription, a photograph of
the grave stone and the
precise location of the grave within the grave yard. The
project also provides local history information in both
short and long formats about the occupants of the graves,
how they link to other graves where relatives lay. There
is now an individual photograph of over 520 headstones
and separately of each associated legible monumental
inscription in the grave yard dating back to 1628.
The resource also contains links
to the 1841-1911 Census Records
for Middleton, Aislaby, Wrelton
and Cropton; Burial, Marriage
and Baptism Records from 1672
to the present day with a search
facility; photographs and documents, including legal
papers.
The computer carries three MP4 presentations and a film
about the Viking Invasion all of which can be viewed by
the public at the touch of a screen.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 22
INCLOSURE DOCUMENTS 1766 Written on thirty-nine vellum (calf skin parchment)
skins, 3 feet wide x 2ft 6” and weighing in at nearly 20lbs,
the recent re-discovery records the awards allotment
(allocation) of land in Middleton, Aislaby, Wrelton,
Cropton and Cawthorne in 1766. The document found
during a spring clean of the vestry in August 2014 is now
deposited, on permanent loan, with the North Yorkshire
County Council Records Office in Northallerton. In
return they agreed to assist the project by providing life
size photographic facsimiles for display in the Church.
The documents were mentioned in the 1939 Church
Guide.
The first page lists the contents of the 39-page document
The Greater Awareness Committee agreed that a
traditional visual display for people to view upon
entering the church, with photographs and information
about the project should be made available.
The program of events included a bell ringing session; a
demonstration of how to playing the organ and recitals
of organ music throughout the day as well as two
scheduled tours of the church and the graveyard.
Booklet for Trail and Promotional Leaflet
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LINKS TO THE JORVIK VIKING CENTRE
-YORK
The Jorvik Viking Centre, York and its parent body York
Archeological Trust have been involved in discussions
about possible future collaborations. The PCC gave
permission for the Middleton
Cross to be copied and the work
was undertaken by the stone
masons at York Minster. The
cross is now displayed in the
Jorvik Centre, Coppergate, York.
The already referred to
unforeseen delays in delivery
meant that any co-operative
ventures with the Jorvik Viking
Centre will be embraced within
plans for future development,
which may include training of
guides and support volunteers
and involvement with the wider
Viking heritage trail which is
being planned.
(The Middleton Cross was loaned
to the British Museum for their Viking Exhibition in
2014).
As already stated from the inception of the project links
between St Andrews Church, Middleton and the Jorvik
Heritage Centre have been positive with tentative
discussions about ideas for Viking themed activities,
which, overtime might develop into Viking re-enactment
events. The Committee recognize the potential in these
events but also understand the time and resource
implications. With the possibility of the Open Day
becoming an annual event the idea of a Viking theme for
2019 has been tabled.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 24
OPEN DAY 25TH AUGUST 2018
Flower arranging, the digital grave locator and art work
Refreshments and discussions
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The Guided Tour
Over two hundred visitors of all ages came to the Open
Day, to participate in the activities and share in the
experience, gather information and learn about the
project.
Tea, Organ Recital and Bell Ringing
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 26
Many signed the Visitors Book and it tells the story of the
day.
‘Amazing church, a history and
a legacy to be proud of.
Thanks.’
Been passed(sic) so many
times but no idea of the
history. Lovely’
‘Thank you for a wonderful
welcome on your special open
day.’
‘What a gem of a church, adore
the A/S crosses. Knaresborough
‘Fantastic work on the history
of the church.’ Marlboro, Wiltshire
‘A repeat visit to see the Saxon
stonework and crosses.’ Corbridge, Northumberland
‘An outstanding opportunity
to enjoy a journey through
history and the lovely church’. Cromer, Norfolk
‘How pleasing to see such a
well-kept church and a village
taking pride in their rich
heritage’
‘Love the history hidden
within’.
‘What a wonderful display and greetings from St.
Leonard’s.
These and more examples can be seen in the Visitor’s
Book located in the Church.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 27
The work of and the contributions of members of the
Greater Awareness Committee and a group of volunteers
over a period of time is to be celebrated and recognized.
Following the OPEN DAY, which was extremely
successful the Greater Awareness Committee restated
that a long and challenging journey still lies ahead.
The repair and restorative work funded through this
project will enable educational visits to take place with
historical, archeological and religious perspectives.
Further opportunities to explore the historical and
archeological importance of the stones has now become
much more of a reality because of the newly formed links
with The University of York. These links also extend
those opportunities to work with other local churches.
The involvement of local schools, community groups,
and voluntary organisations together with an embryonic
mutual support structure between the Middleton and
Aislaby Village Hall Committee and the recently formed
Middleton, Newton and Sinnington Parochial Church
Council bodes well. A focus on education activity is now
a priority with some ideas about how to involve local
schools in historical, archeological and technological
projects.
A group of local artists visited the Church and completed
sketches and impressions will be converted in to full
works and are expected to be shown at an Art Exhibition
in the Church in 2019. One artist donated a water-colour
to use as the front page of the web site.
Picture kindly donated by Penny Wicks-Local Artist
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 28
Press Coverage and Interest Initial contact with the press was limited and met with
little enthusiasm, however once the project began to
impact on the community and the Open Day was
announced interest increased.
Wednesday, 5th September 2018 – Gazette and Herald
Coverage of and interest in the Open Day from the
Malton based ‘Gazette and Herald’ and the York based
‘Post’ resulted in newspaper articles with photographs
being published pre and post the Open Day event. An
approach from an independent film crew has yet to come
to fruition but the Committee is keen for the interest to
be promoted and developed. This demonstrates the
amount of interest in the importance of the crosses and
the church to a number of audiences.
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Partnership with York University Prior to the Open Day plans had been made to discuss
with York University the identity, importance and date of
several stones and artefacts. The visit took place after the
Open Day and its success perhaps influenced the
outcomes of the meeting in a more positive light.
It was agreed with two Senior Staff of the University that
a way of working together should be addressed to
maximize a collaboration that would be of benefit to both
parties.
It was agreed that:
1. the embryonic Ryedale Heritage Trail might want to think
about how stones associated with other local churches might
be embraced in its promotion. A PhD student might be
seconded.
2. A series of Mini-lectures on topics associated with the stones
and the history of the church might be organized
3. In September 2019 there will be a technical workshop which
considers all aspects of displaying stone artefacts, including
crosses. An invitation to attend will be extended to St
Andrews.
4. A lecturer and students will visit the Church to identify
stones and artefacts and on completion deliver a public
workshop of their findings. The outcome will enable the
Church to better decide which, if any, of the additional stones
are worthy of display and which might be stored.
5. Consideration will be given to a MA Buildings Dissertation
which takes the Victorian Restoration of a church as its
subject focus.
The University colleagues in this initiative are:
Dr Kate Giles, Director of Studies, MA Archaeology of Buildings,
The University of York
and
Jane Hawkes PhD, Professor of History of Art,
University of York
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 30
THE NEXT STEPS The completion of the Heritage Lottery Grant GP—15-
01405 supported by local donations provided St.
Andrew’s Church, Middleton with a much-needed
incentive to move towards completing further projects
which include the installation of an appropriate efficient
and cost-effective heating system, reparation to high
level plasterwork damage, and a comprehensive Heritage
Plan facilitating the display of all their historic features
and artefacts, and some further reparative work to the
tower that was identified in the Development Phase.
The Greater Awareness Committee was created to take
forward these new projects as they were not able to be
funded within the negotiated scope of GP-15-01405
because there were insufficient funds due to higher than
projected estimates.
SUMMARY
• The project GP-15-10405 is now completed
• The building is now waterproofed and secure
• The Church has a new improved Guide Book
• There are four MP4 Presentations about the
project and the history of the Church available
• Local artists, schools and community groups are
involved in the project
• There is a comprehensive digital photographic
record of all aspects of the project
• New display resources have been made available
• The Greater Awareness Committee was formed to
manage the future developments and projects
that will sustain and underpin the legacy
• The local team have enhanced their knowledge of
the fiscal and administrative aspects of such a
large project
• A new partnership with the University of York is
a positive and potentially long-term benefit
• The numbers of people who engaged with the
project on the Open Day signifies the potential
for further and wider engagement
• Local crafts people are continuing to support the
project
• The development of the Digital Grave Locator
brings with it a potential for greater involvement
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 31
with Local History Groups, families and
individuals
• Plans for establishing an Annual Open Day event
is being considered
• The newly formed partnership with the
Middleton and Aislaby Village Hall Committee
offers more opportunities for liaison and support.
• Work with schools at primary and secondary
levels are being discussed and visits to the Church
are now possible because of the new facilities
provided.
• New school-based projects based around local
history, the Viking Crosses and how technology
can be used to enrich the experience are being
developed.
• The new dedicated web site is active and
promotes the project and its plans for the future:
www.standrewsmiddletonchurch.weebly.com
Legacy outcome Evidence
The beauty and character of St Andrew’s Church,
Middleton has been rescued, repaired and restored so
that it may be celebrated and opportunities for its
re-discovery have been enhanced.
It is too early to determine the effect it will have on the
numbers of visitors/ users but the signs and indications
this far are good. The planned Viking Cross Heritage
Centre will undoubtedly add to visitor numbers as will
the planned the growth in education/research-based
activity.
Volunteers of many different interests and ages are now
engaged in new activities and express an intention to
continue. Some local people are now upskilled and
developing an interest in heritage crafts, fostering
creativity and providing lifelong skills. There is also the
potential for the existing skills of the elderly to be
harnessed and used effectively.
There is raised awareness and an increased
understanding of and potential for local history and
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 32
heritage activity, creating links with a network of local
and district wide genealogy focused groups.
There is also a major link to the Middleton and Aislaby
Village Hall (MAVH) who are beginning plans for a local
history themed three-day event in 2020 and initial
discussions about areas of co-operation and support are
underway. For many there is an extricable link between
the Church and its local history. It is also an opportunity
to engage with many individuals and families to develop
interests and activities that will contribute to the
combatting of isolation and loneliness in rural areas.
Lessons learned
• Extensive consultation and partner engagement during the
development phase secured an understanding of the complex
technical requirements for Delivery Stage 1 between the
professionals and the Project Manager representing the
Parochial Church Council.
• A wider ownership of this initial process may have provided
opportunities for others to engage.
• Governance of the project based on line management of the
team through the Project Manager responsible to the PCC
worked well. A key feature has been a clear de facto
demarcation between procedural accountability through
PCC and strategic guidance via the Project Manager.
• The monitoring and evaluation process, including the early
appointment of an external independent evaluator would
have made a difference in shaping the final report. With
hindsight, the early development of a monitoring and
evaluation framework, ‘owned’ by the Partnership as a whole,
would have facilitated a more structured process of reporting
and end-of-project evaluation.
• Consideration of legacy started early, well before the mid-
point of delivery, but all outcomes were dependent on the
success of the Delivery Stage 1 as access to the building was
extremely limited up to and until the 25th August 2018. The
project team were realistic about what could and could not
be achieved, and about the potential once the construction
work was completed.
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 33
CONCLUSION
The Project: St. Andrew’s Church, Middleton was a well-
conceived scheme, based on a sound understanding of the local
historical and cultural heritage. It embodied aims appropriate to
the needs and potential of the environment, its residents and
visitors, and the local economy. It led to a working partnership
between a small church based voluntary group, driven by a
Project Manager and a series of external professional providers
with a clear shared vision.
It is worthy of note that without the determination and
professionalism of the Project Manager, who was able to provide
guidance and professional advice to the PCC progress might have
been less smooth.
The Parochial Church Council (PCC) as lead body provided good
financial control. A small team working within a robust
administrative structure provided effective day to day
management. Early glitches, including a sustained interregnum
period and the appointment of a new Vicar did not unduly delay
any aspect of the project.
The project effectively secured community participation and
‘buy-in’, resulting in a good number of monetary donations and
contributions of time and skills.
The project continues to have considerable strengths, not least a
strong assessment and knowledge of the local heritage and its
ongoing potential.
With any project, there are areas for learning, and elements that
might have been done differently.
• The project website was launched in August 2018,
towards the end of the project and would have benefitted
with an earlier launch, together with other social media
platforms.
• Stronger links might have been made with neighboring
churches and organizations, specifically when
considering Delivery Stage B of the delivery.
• More attention might have been paid to the longer-term
sustainability of the project. This could have been
through links with local organizations with access to
local funding, and through the development of a business
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 34
plan that built on the opportunities generated while the
project was active.
These observations are made recognizing the limited resources
of both time and finances. Overall the ambitious plan funded
through HLF - GP – 15 - 01405 has been delivered successfully and
that its intended impacts to:
• Increase skills
• Increase knowledge and understanding of the heritage
• Deliver enjoyment, inspiration and creativity
• Change attitudes through building connections with
local history within communities
were achieved.
The challenge for the PCC and its Greater Awareness Committee
from this point forward is to deliver those aspects of the project
that have been identified and developed as a result of the
completion of this funded phase. Each part of that future plan is
in itself a major undertaking that will require skillful and focused
delivery by a dedicated but small voluntary group who will need
to undertake a careful assessment of priorities, costings, fund
raising and delivery planning. The significance of the completion
of the additional identified work to the PCC, the Greater
Awareness Committee and the wider community is understood
in all its complexities. There is an inter dependency between the
two strands of work -that which is completed and that which
remains to be done. The experience, learning and understanding
of project management of the core team has been considerably
enhanced through involvement in this challenge and it will
underpin and inform their future deliberations.
The project is a huge success and has within it the potential to
become a major addition to the planned heritage trail as well as
becoming a significant local community resource and Viking
Heritage Centre.
Stuart J Plant November 19th 2018
Consultant
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 35
REFERENCES
• Townend, Matthew: ‘Viking Age Yorkshire’ Blackthorn
• G Ronald Murphy S.J: ‘Tree of Salvation- Yggdrasil and the
Cross in the North’- Oxford University Press 2013 ISBN 978-
0-19-994861-1
• J Richmond Brown: ‘St Andrews Church Guide Book’ 2000
• ‘St Andrews Church Guide’ 1939 Pamphlet
• ‘The Viking Crosses at Middleton’ Pamphlet
GP-15-01405 -PAGE 36
CREDITS
Thank you to the many people who gave their time and
expertise in the delivery of this project
Volunteers
Pam Leng Bathsheba Hartrey
Helen Strickson Alice Thompson
Helen Gaskell Helen Halkyard Susan Harlow
Jane Wilkinson Betty Harrison Karen Hustler
Lee Starkey Young Bailey
Joyce Harrison Daphne Evans
Jenny Richmond-Brown
Church Yard Maintenance
Francis Barber Luke Cousins
Wood Carving
John Harrison and members of the Wrelton
Wood Carving Group
Wild Flower Meadow
Mike Sellars Robert Evans Daphne Evans
Parochial Church Council
Rev. Stephen Gamble Rev. Rob Barker Rev. Ailsa Beech Rev Anne Wright
Frank Bailey Russell Strickson Gordon Halkyard Helen Halkyard
Pam Russell Paul Hampson
Margaret Brough Joyce Harrison
Betty Harrison (Sec) Tom Hustler
Jane Wilkinson Jannine Lee
Project Management Team
Frank Bailey (Project Manager)
Pam Russell Ailsa Beech
Greater Awareness Committee
Russell Strickson Gordon Halkyard Helen Halkyard
Frank Bailey Pam Russell
Rev Ailsa Beech Rev Anne Wright
Donations
HLF
Garfield Western Jill Franklin Trust
Spensound Garage Ltd (Middleton Garage)
Middleton PCC Methodist Church
York Dioceses (Repair Grant
and Loan) &
Parishioners
Also, to: Margarette Brough
Tom and Karen Hustler Middleton Village Hall
Trustees and Committee Malcolm Stuart Richard Bailey
Keith Bailey Peter Dines Mary Brown John Brown Hazel Dale
(Organist)
Organisations
Russell’s (Malton) Jorvik Viking Heritage