Historic Cambridgeshire church added to Heritage at Risk list

Historic England has put the Church of St Wendreda in March on the list.

Surveys have revealed that the tie bars within the 43m high church spire have corroded, and surrounding stonework needs extensive repair. Without immediate intervention metalwork could drop, and in adverse weather the church spire could topple.

This risks the church’s irreplaceable and particularly fine double hammerbeam roof which dates from 1523-26 and features, in two tiers, 118 intricately carved oak angels and saints.

The church bells can no longer be rung due to safety concerns.

St Wendreda’s is the only church in the UK dedicated to the 7th century Anglo-Saxon princess saint, Wendreda.

Church representatives are engaged in an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise the estimated £250,000 needed for essential repairs.

Over the past year, 21 historic buildings and sites in the East of England have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, Co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “The heritage we see all around us impacts how we feel about our local places. The annual Heritage at Risk Register gives us the opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of bringing our historic buildings back into use.

“The best way to protect our buildings is to reuse them, turning them into places of local connection and joy. The sites that have been saved and have come off the Register this year really highlight the benefits of working together in partnership, and with communities, to create positive, sustainable change. Together we can safeguard our heritage for future generations.”

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “We are determined to protect the heritage at the heart of our communities.

“It is fantastic to see so many historical sites saved for communities up and down the country. These are much loved places and it is great to see them being brought back in to use. This year alone our £15 million Heritage at Risk Capital Fund has been key to saving buildings like these.”

Over the past year, 21 historic buildings and sites in the East of England have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.