HANSLOPE, Buckinghamshire – St James the Great. 

Re-roofing 1924-25

A grant was approved for this work to be done as early as 1917, and the church guide confirms that the church was indeed re-roofed in 1924-5.  This followed protracted delays, as short articles in the Northampton Mercury of 1919 and 1922 showed.  On 11 July 1919 under the headline “Urgent need for restoration”, the Mercury reported on a fundraising fete.

Three years ago Mr. Prynne, the diocesan architect, reported that if the nave roof is left much longer without some drastic steps being taken it would become in a comparatively short time a source of great danger.

And then again on 23 June 1922:

The roofs of Hanslope Church…are in urgent need of repair… The late Mr. Oldred Scott, diocesan architect, condemned the roofs as long ago as 1893, and a few years ago, Mr. Fellowes Prynne, diocesan architect, reported that, unless speedily repaired, the nave roof would become a source of great danger.  The cost of thoroughly repairing the nave roof, exclusive of architect’s fees, has been estimated at £1,614, and since the issue of Mr. Prynne’s report strenuous efforts have been made to raise this sum.  The parishioners, who are chiefly working people, have succeeded in raising nearly £900 and £250 would probably be forthcoming from church societies.

Note also that this church has many stained glass windows fashioned by Percy Bacon Brothers – Fellowes Prynne’s contractor of choice. Observation suggests that these were likely to have been installed under his supervision.