Church project wins accolade for saving historic monument

A conservation project at St Edward the Martyr, Goathurst, has been honoured with a prestigious award for its work preserving the Grade II* listed Willis Monument in the churchyard.

The restoration of the monument which was once described as being in a “critical” state has received a William Stansell Award for Historic Building Conservation, from the Somerset Building Preservation Trust. It recognises the work undertaken to repair the ancient structure which had been listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. 

The award acknowledges the commitment and work undertaken by Churchwarden, Brenda Smith on behalf of the PCC, local architects Annie Evans and conservator Justin Cross.  In the citation they were praised for “An exemplary project of repairs to a very unusual Grade II listed churchyard monument of which the obelisk had been dismantled for safety in 2018.”

The citation also mentions the work undertaken by Brenda and the team at St Edwards, for their hard work and dedication to raising funds to help pay for the restoration. They have worked tirelessly to raise more the than £20,000 needed. “Funding was a great challenge but met with great determination by the PCC.”

After all the hard work Brenda says the award is “The icing on the cake!”

In addition to the monument restoration, the church has recently completed conservation of early 18th-century paintings located in the former singers’ gallery at the base of the church tower. This was made possible by a grant from the Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme, also funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

A talk on the painting restoration, hosted by specialist Ruth McNeilage, is expected to be scheduled as a celebratory event.