A service of dedication has been held in St Sampson’s Church, Cricklade, following the completion of repairs to the South Transept and Nave roofs.

The roof of the church, which dates from the late 12th century but has fragments of Anglo-Saxon work, had been leaking. 

A £250,000 restoration project was therefore launched to ensure the building, which is Grade I listed, could remain at the heart of the Cricklade community.

Adina Grace, chair of the Church Appeal Team, thanked the grant bodies who have allocated funds and the individuals who have donated for their support and generosity during the service on Sunday, December 12. 

Barry Hammond, project manager, announced that the total cost had come in just under budget. 

Around 38 per cent of the money raised came from grant making bodies and 27 per cent from individuals, the remainder was made up from fundraising activities. 

Substantial grants have been received from Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust and Crapper & Son’s Ltd. 

A plaque was presented by Community First, Wiltshire’s Rural Community Council, who administer grants given by Crapper & Son’s Ltd. 

Also in attendance were representatives from the Cricklade charities. 

Barry also recalled that one momentous event had been the effects of a storm when the temporary roof was still in place over the Nave roof. 

“It was a sight to see inches of water being swept away inadequately with church mops," he said.

Reverend Canon Debbie Dewes also thanked all who had enabled the church to now be watertight and blessed the new roofs.

The next stage of the project is to refurbish the inside of the building and ensure it is warm and well lit. If you wish to donate visit stsampsonschurchappeal.co.uk

Once the whole project is complete, the building will be available for bookings for groups, events, exhibitions and concerts as well as weddings and baptisms and income earned will help with the future upkeep.