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an article
in the February 2024 Parish Magazine written by Grant Everiss… |
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Church
Weather Vane Renovation |
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Some of the more observant members of the
community may have noticed that the weather vane on the church tower has had
a bit of a 'glint' in his eye since last May. |
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The renovation came about as a result of
the Friendly brothers Christmas meal. The retired blacksmith George Emeny who
sold up and moved to Suffolk about 30 years ago, and always attends,
approached me (to be honest, he had done over several Christmas meals) to
take a look at the weather vane as it was looking rather tired and unless
blowing half a gale, didn't necessarily reflect the true direction of the
wind, George and his then right hand man Terry Carter had been instrumental
in the original renovation and fitting of the weather vane in, we think,
1981. Up until then it is not believed that the
church had ever been adorned with one. There was a dedication service,
carried out by the then incumbent Rector, Robin Turner. The event was covered
by the Maldon and Burnham Standard who published a photo and brief caption in
June 1981. |
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With the impending Coronation of King
Charles and various events in the village to mark the occasion I set a
completion deadline, to have the renovation finished by Coronation day
Saturday 6th May. I enlisted my friend Dan Wilkie to help get
the vane and associated steelwork down to ground level and back to my garden
workshop. The Cockerel, finial and the compass point letters were cut off and
modified to be bolt on for any future renovation, to go off to another
friend, Roger Davies a retired sign writer who I'd managed to cajole into re
guilding the said items in 24crt gold leaf for the princely labour cost of a
bottle of something Scottish and peaty! Meanwhile, the steel framework was
repaired, wire brushed, rust treated, primed and metal paint top coated in
Green in my workshop. |
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Over the May bank holiday weekend the
various components were reunited and hauled over to the church. Again, myself
and Dan aided by a gofer, Derek Harris and with the judicious use of scaffold
tubes, blocks and tackles, ratchet straps and copious amounts of rope not to
mention a conveniently planted Yew tree as an anchor point. The whole lot was
hauled back up the tower and bolted back in place. All in time for coronation
weekend....JUST! I've written this piece, not only for the
readers interest but more in way of the recognition of my small band of
helpers who contributed to the renovation, not least to George Emeny who
generously paid for all the materials. Grant Everiss |
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St-Peters Church
Blacksmiths King Charles
coronation celebrations |
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