URGENT repairs to one of Somerset’s most distinctive churches have been completed thanks to the hard work of the local community and an emergency grant of £52,850 from Historic England.

Following wind and heavy rain on December 23 last year, the nave roof of Grade I listed St Peter’s Church in Hornblotton, near Shepton Mallet, was severely damaged, bringing forward planned works to the building.

The storm dislodged a large area of clay roof tiles, resulting in water running into the nave. The church was closed and a temporary tarpaulin secured to prevent further damage to the important arts and crafts interior of the building.

Unusually, Historic England agreed to fund the full repair of the nave roof.

Rebecca Barrett, South West regional director at Historic England, said: “The circumstances at St Peter’s were exceptional, and we were pleased to be able to step in and help secure the nave roof. We hope the next phases of repair and conservation go smoothly and wish the parish and the community of Hornblotton every success.”

Mark Taylor, St Peter’s conservation architect, said: “Our original programme of work for St Peter’s began with the repair of the chancel roof and east window in 2021 with support from Historic England’s Covid-19 Emergency Fund.

"But the storm damage to the nave roof in December 2022 meant we had to rethink that programme and act quickly to protect the church and its remarkable interior. We’re delighted that the work has been completed in just a few months.”

Now the storm damage has been fixed, the church can once again focus on the major programme of refurbishment needed to secure the important building and its historic interiors, and fundraising is underway.

The vestry and porch roofs now need to be improved and recent investigations of the bells, the sgraffito wall plaster, and the window glass show that they also require conservation and repair.

To reflect the fragile condition of the church, St Peter’s was added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2022.

Nigel Blower, churchwarden at St Peter Hornblotton, said: “Our church is one of Somerset’s historic gems and much loved by local people and visitors, but it has reached the point where extensive repairs are now needed. We’ll be working hard over the coming years to conserve this beautiful building.”