The Quinquennial Report
Page re-written
Old page visted April 2026 - started this new page as the original was about a report that was quite old and not relavent to the church as it is now.
The original 2017 report was on the server - 2017_QI_Report.pdf - now removed.
If someone is interested in this report or what I had to say about it I don't want it assocaited with tempusfugit.
Most probably the visit was from someone looking for David Whymark, the architect that has written the reports so far.
I am not sure if I had a copy of the 2022 report but I think that it is very similar to the 2017 report and I am guessing that the 2027 report will be completed by Whymark and will be just another check-list of things that may or maynot have relevance to the church building.
Since 2017 there has been work performed on the wall paintings and I am sure that they will feature in the 2027 report. Also work has been performed on the tower and the belfry.
My concern is that the check-box methodology here just encourages the applications for grant money that "feeds" the Old-boy network of contractors that are "approved" to work on church buildings.
The moving of headstones
I am not sure how I found the report that mentioned the faculty from 1964.
The Quinquennial Report
We eagerly await the 2027 report
The content of this page is being revised, April 2026
The Faculty process
When major changes are required for buildings administered by the diocese a faculty has to be approved for the work to be performed.
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When looking for information on faculties that were granted for St. Mary's church I came across:
Historic Churches a wasting asset
colchesterheritage.co.uk - Warwick Rodwell with Kirsty Rodwell - 1977 - Research Report No 19 = The Council for British Archaeology
The section on St Mary the Virgin, Belchamp Walter:
TL 8274 4068 Isolated with hall.
RCHM i, 19 (sketch plan 1:576)
C14 large nave; C13 small chancel; C15 W tower; C19 rebuild of E end of nave, shifting chancel arch a little to E.
Nothing known of earlier church, except the fine Norman font. A highly ornate C14 arch in the N wall of the nave once gave
access into a chantry chapel — now gone but could be found by excavation.
The wall plaster in the nave is all ancient and is decorated with extensive C14 paintings, uncovered in recent disturbances around the walls, in connection with drain laying:
probably much archaeological damage done; the church is still damp inside and a chemical damp-course has been recommended.
Dampness has caused many floor tiles to become detached from their bedding—relaying must come in due course and will present
an opportunity for investigation.
Likewise structural work may become necessary as a result of wall cracks (all tell-tales broken). Archaeological potential is uncertain: small quantity of Roman brick in walls (including flue tiles); also some possible medieval bricks.
There are sarsens by the roadside opposite the church and a remarkable collection of reused medieval stonework in the walls and gate pillars of the hall and a house N of the church. These items might repay detailed investigation.
A pleasant graveyard containing some good C18 tombstones — it would have been even better had it not been ‘tidied’ and the 1964 faculty for moving headstones not granted.
The S door is an important piece of C14 carpentry and the industrial archaeology of the church is noteworthy: there is an early C18 striking tower clock; the ‘Tortoise’ stove (threatened) is one of the two or three good survivors in the Archdeaconry and should be protected; there is a peal of eight bells in their original frame declare ‘unsafe’ in 1923; this must be protected from the depredations of speculating bell-founders.
Grading: AIIb (listed B)
