Thieves steal lead from historic church roof after major renovation

Thieves stripped lead from the roof of an historic church near Melton shortly after a major renovation project had been carried out there.
By Nick Rennie
Published 29th Dec 2020, 17:31 BST
St Bartholomew's Church at Welby EMN-201229-165745001St Bartholomew's Church at Welby EMN-201229-165745001
St Bartholomew's Church at Welby EMN-201229-165745001

Contractors had finished the scheme, at St Bartholomew’s Church, at Welby, two weeks early, only to discover the theft from the porch roof and damage to slates as they arrived returned to remove scaffolding.

Reacting to the crime, a spokesperson for Melton Mowbray Team Parish, which administers activities there, said: “This is very sad as the church has a small congregation, with limited resources, and to have to find further funds at this time is extremely disheartening.

“Luckily there was no damage to the works just completed.”

Damage to the roof at St Bartholomew's Church, at Welby caused by thieves shortly after a major renovation project was completed there EMN-201229-172055001Damage to the roof at St Bartholomew's Church, at Welby caused by thieves shortly after a major renovation project was completed there EMN-201229-172055001
Damage to the roof at St Bartholomew's Church, at Welby caused by thieves shortly after a major renovation project was completed there EMN-201229-172055001
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St Bartholomew’s, which dates back to 1180, benefited from a £140,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant to carry out the works, which were essential for it to be retained as a place of worship.

The tower roof was repaired and re-slated, with guttering installed, and the ridge was re-pointed, in the renovation scheme.

A lead apron was also put in on the eastern elevation window on the bell tower and lead flashings were checked and repaired.