"Let no-one be a stranger within these walls"
Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
Restoration work at Largo and Newburn Parish Church 2015-17
In July 2013, with the approval of the Church Session, Larry Rolland as convener of the fabric group requested a survey of the church windows. These date from the late Victorian era and consist of 4 stained glass windows and 8 quarry and crown glass windows. The work required varied from minimal to extensive with several needing to be fully re-leaded owing to sagging of the structure threatening the glass. In addition, the supporting ironwork and openings had rusted and external protection was failing. The rose window glass which was hidden behind organ pipes since 1981, was to be moved to the North aisle.
We accepted a quote from Scottish Glass Studios (Mark Bambrough) following successful grant applications. We had a 75% grant (£47,820) from Fife Environmental Trust (landfill tax) with additional income from Baird Trust and donations from the Wood clan and Baxter family (the latter two in relation to windows given by these families). VAT was reclaimed under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. The work was done between Dec 2015 and Jan 2017 resulting in a major improvement in terms of draughts, light and durable structures for the next 50-100 years.
In July 2014, a survey of the exterior of the church revealed major issues with failed pointing allowing water ingress and plant growth and also “hard pointing” which was damaging the stonework. The East gable end had been rendered previously. This was badly damaged leading to water penetration into the East facing walls. Subsequently, once the render was removed a great deal of stone and pointing repair was required. The rainwater goods were in poor condition which contributed to water penetration into the walls. The estimated cost of all the work was around £150-200,000. Discussions and a phase 1 application to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) were successful to develop the bid further. This involved a more detailed survey and specification of works. In addition, we undertook to investigate the history of the church and to display this on the church website, to provide signage and leaflets and to have open days to encourage a wider understanding of the heritage we have. Our phase 2 bid was successful with an award of £138,600 provided equally between HLF and Historic Environment Scotland. In addition, we were very pleased to receive grants from General Trustees of Church of Scotland, Todd Bequest, Garfield Weston Foundation, Alan Evans Foundation, Scotland’s Churches Trust. Once again VAT was reclaimed and local donations and fundraising was used.
The work took place between Oct 2016 and April 2017. The external appearance is much improved and will secure the building for generations to come. The photographs illustrate some of the problems we were facing and the improvements we have made.
Do come and enjoy the heritage we have!
The church is indebted to the Upper Largo Camera Club for many of the wonderful photographs included in the web-site and also to Andrew Beveridge for the excellent video recording.
We accepted a quote from Scottish Glass Studios (Mark Bambrough) following successful grant applications. We had a 75% grant (£47,820) from Fife Environmental Trust (landfill tax) with additional income from Baird Trust and donations from the Wood clan and Baxter family (the latter two in relation to windows given by these families). VAT was reclaimed under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme. The work was done between Dec 2015 and Jan 2017 resulting in a major improvement in terms of draughts, light and durable structures for the next 50-100 years.
In July 2014, a survey of the exterior of the church revealed major issues with failed pointing allowing water ingress and plant growth and also “hard pointing” which was damaging the stonework. The East gable end had been rendered previously. This was badly damaged leading to water penetration into the East facing walls. Subsequently, once the render was removed a great deal of stone and pointing repair was required. The rainwater goods were in poor condition which contributed to water penetration into the walls. The estimated cost of all the work was around £150-200,000. Discussions and a phase 1 application to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) were successful to develop the bid further. This involved a more detailed survey and specification of works. In addition, we undertook to investigate the history of the church and to display this on the church website, to provide signage and leaflets and to have open days to encourage a wider understanding of the heritage we have. Our phase 2 bid was successful with an award of £138,600 provided equally between HLF and Historic Environment Scotland. In addition, we were very pleased to receive grants from General Trustees of Church of Scotland, Todd Bequest, Garfield Weston Foundation, Alan Evans Foundation, Scotland’s Churches Trust. Once again VAT was reclaimed and local donations and fundraising was used.
The work took place between Oct 2016 and April 2017. The external appearance is much improved and will secure the building for generations to come. The photographs illustrate some of the problems we were facing and the improvements we have made.
Do come and enjoy the heritage we have!
The church is indebted to the Upper Largo Camera Club for many of the wonderful photographs included in the web-site and also to Andrew Beveridge for the excellent video recording.
Welcome David Clark - Interim Moderator
Merlyn Ball and Irene Kay extended a warm welcome to Rev David Clark as he takes up his post as Interim Moderator with Largo and Newburn linked to Largo St David’s. David will start with us on Wednesday 1 March and in welcoming him we extend our farewells and sincere thanks to Rev Dr Ann Allison who has now completed her time as Interim Moderator; she and her husband Jim can now look forward enthusiastically to their retirement!
David is now retired from the Ministry and for the last two years has been conducting Sunday worship at Elie, Kilconquhar and Colinsburgh. Following his career as a geography teacher he became Principal Teacher of Geography at Kelso High School, he took up his call to the Ministry and was ordained in 1989. He has been Minister in Airdrie (Flowerlea now Cairnlea) and Dundee (The Steeple) as well as being the General Director of Scripture Union Scotland for a period of 4 years 1996-2000.
David and his wife Maureen live in St Monans and he is a keen cyclist, has an enthusiastic interest in football and loves the Scottish Highlands. He will preach with us for the first time on Sunday 12 March and we look forward to him leading us in worship and to his help and support as we progress through our vacancy.
David is now retired from the Ministry and for the last two years has been conducting Sunday worship at Elie, Kilconquhar and Colinsburgh. Following his career as a geography teacher he became Principal Teacher of Geography at Kelso High School, he took up his call to the Ministry and was ordained in 1989. He has been Minister in Airdrie (Flowerlea now Cairnlea) and Dundee (The Steeple) as well as being the General Director of Scripture Union Scotland for a period of 4 years 1996-2000.
David and his wife Maureen live in St Monans and he is a keen cyclist, has an enthusiastic interest in football and loves the Scottish Highlands. He will preach with us for the first time on Sunday 12 March and we look forward to him leading us in worship and to his help and support as we progress through our vacancy.
