CONSERVATION experts and volunteers from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings spent a week at the historic Old Church in Greatham, carrying out vital maintenance work to the important mediaeval survivor.

The visit at the start of this month was their second, and they worked to consolidate stonework, to carry out repointing and to lime wash the chancel.

The public were invited to see the conservation repair work and to try their hand at ancient craft techniques, such as peg making, willow weaving and working with wattle and daub.

There were demonstrations by a blacksmith, and wood workers, and two schools also visited the site for a unique history lesson.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings aims to inspire people to think differently about old buildings and believes hands on is the best way to learn.

Jonny Garlick, society technical officer and working party project manager, told the Herald: “We’re delighted to be back at the Old Church - it’s a very special place to the The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and is such an important part of the community. We’re pleased to be conserving this medieval gem for future generations.”

Greatham Old Church is particularly important to the society, who had a working party there from 1993 to 2001. Built in 1262, the building fell into disuse after the dedication of the new village church, St John the Baptist, in 1875. The bell was moved to the new church with other fittings.