RESIDENTS in Shaw are being urged to support a desperate appeal for funds to replace thousands of oak shingles on the spire of Grade 2 listed Christ Church in the village.

The slender wooden spire of the Arts and Crafts Gothic-style Church is covered with more than 5,000 oak shingles which are increasingly blowing off in high winds and now urgently need replacing.

Church warden Sue Evans said the Parochial Church Council had already raised over £40,000 to do the work, and then were told last week they need to raise a further £19,500 after the architectural specification was changed.

“It’s very frustrating because we were within £1,000 of achieving our appeal target but we will just have to keep going until we get there.

“It was a bitter blow to be told that we need to raise another £19,500 but I can’t disagree with what the church architect says because in the long term he is probably right.

“We are desperate to raise the money because we would like to get the work done in the autumn. Our contractors Wiltshire Steeplejacks have told us they won’t do the work in the winter.”

Five-yearly inspections in 2011 and 2016 showed the urgent need to replace the oak shingles as more and more were coming loose and falling onto the church tower. Roof and gutter leaks when it rains are also damaging plasterwork within the church.

The work involves the complete removal of the existing shingles. The underlying structure would be inspected and repaired and then treated with wood preservative.

New oak shingles and lead soakers are to be installed and the base of the spire has to be re-leaded on underlay. Two slate roof valleys require re-leading and damaged cast iron rainwater goods need replacing.

Sue said: “We expect the repairs will take between four and five weeks to complete and hopefully the work will begin in the autumn.

“We are hoping people will sponsor the oak shingles. We will be selling each one for £2 or six shingles for £10. Sponsors will have their names inscribed on the back.”

The PCC is planning concerts in the church and a fancy dress cricket tournament on Saturday 9 August from 11am to 4pm on the Village Hall playing field. The PCC is hoping at least eight teams of six players will take part.

In addition a Justgiving page has been set up to help raise the final amount required: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/christ-church-shaw