Conservation works

As inspecting architect for St John’s Church, Hale, our colleague Adam is proud to support the care of this much-loved 181-year-old building. You may have seen on the BBC that the church is nearing the final stretch of its fundraising campaign for urgent tower repairs.

Designed by Benjamin Ferrey, a pupil of Augustus Pugin, St John’s has already raised £27,000 through grants and donations. Just £5,500 remains to reach the target. These vital works will repair the crumbling clunch on the tower and allow the bells to ring again for the first time in years.

🧱 What is clunch?

Clunch is a soft, chalky limestone traditionally used in medieval buildings, especially churches across southern England. It’s prized for its ease of carving and local availability, but it’s also highly porous and prone to weathering, making it vulnerable to crumbling over time.

Conservation of clunch requires specialist care to preserve both the structure and its historical integrity.

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