During the twentieth century careful repairs have been made to the roof, especially when, during a thunderstorm in 1979, a pinnacle from the tower crashed onto the nave roof while Sunday School was in progress. It was repaired, along with the South Porch stonework and roof, with a grant from the Department of the Environment.
In 1985 a new wooden door was made by a local joiner for the south-facing doorway in the chancel. This was partly paid for with money collected at the memorial service for Robert Kitchen who had died in a tragic road accident in 1984. Other work had been carried out in the late 1970’s in memory of villagers including Mrs Lavis and a new vestry door in memory of Mrs Jaques.
All Saints’ Church 1999
In 1993 the architect conducting the quinquennial survey on behalf of the Diocese of Southwell reported that ‘on previous inspections one had nearly given up hope that this Church would survive’. However, by this time plans were being developed to further restore the fabric of the building. In 1995 lead roofing sheets were replaced and other parts of the leaking nave and chancel roof were repaired. Also the external chancel and clerestory walls were stripped of cracked render and re-rendered. In 1996 work commenced on repointing the 15th century tower and replacing perished stone, not only in the tower but also in numerous other places, which are clearly visible when walking around the Church. The stone used for the lower level repairs came from the quarry which supplies Lincoln Cathedral. This work was completed in 1997. It was discovered that much of the damaged stone in the tower was due to water seeping through cracks in the lead roof of the tower, which had last been replaced in 1730. Work to replace the whole of the tower roof, the timber infrastructure and lead covering, was commenced and completed in 1997. Much of the old lead was covered in graffiti made by the craftsmen who had worked on the roof over the years; the earliest date was 1700 and the most recent 1935. The craftsmen often signed their names and drew around their hands and feet. Examples were given to Newark Millgate Museum for preservation and research purposes and the remainder has been retained by the Church.
Examples of craftsmen graffiti preserved on the tower roof.
 Marks left by A Tindall (possibly Alfred, aged 13) in 1897. Note the small shoe size and pictures of a horse and a donkey. |
 RTG is probably Reuben Thomas Grocock and is dated 1898. |
 F Daybell |
 Reuben Thomas Grocock, possibly dated 1890 |
In July 1999 all the woodwork in the Church, including the roofbeams, pews and floor boards, were treated with insecticidal fluid to eradicate furniture and death watch beetles. The building was redecorated in October and November 1999 in preparation for the millennium.
Security is an ever-present issue today and, at the behest of English Heritage, a suitable and sympathetic system has been installed. At the same time, the opportunity was taken to install an additional light so that the tower could be illuminated during special events. A half-hectare of land had been bought from a neighbouring farmer to extend the burial ground and was consecrated in 1933. There is, therefore, an assured final resting place for the people of Barnby-in-the-Willows for centuries to come. The area on the south side of the Church running down to the River Witham was cleared of weeds, grassed and planted with native trees to make a very pleasant feature. This gives much pleasure to the many people who use the public footpath down to the river; the kissing gate, providing access to the churchyard, having been replaced in 1982 with the help of the Parish Council.
In the churchyard there are twelve fine yews neatly clipped into eight-foot high rounded bushes. A thirteenth yew will be planted in the churchyard in the spring of 2000. It is a cutting from an ancient yew known to be 2000 years old and so is a direct link with a tree alive at the time of Christ. The yew is to be planted as part of the ‘Yews for the Millennium’ project being run by the Conservation Foundation presided over by Professor David Bellamy OBE.
The approach to the North Door through the yews
The external fabric of All Saints Church has, therefore, been restored and this historic building preserved for future generations into the millennium and beyond, as it has over the past seven hundred or so years.
To downlaod a copy of the All Saints' Church guide in Microsoft Word format (542Kb) please click here. The file uses the font 'Old English' which can be downloaded from the Internet. However, the file works with Times New Roman if you don't have Old English.
Last updated: 23 June 2002