Hundreds sign petition against St Oswald's Church limewash

Serious damp problems to the clock tower of St Oswald's Church in Askrigg mean that the Anglican Diocese of Leeds needs to undertake repair work to the 15th century building.

The intention is to render and limewash over the exposed stone in work approved by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).

However, many local residents are unhappy with the effect that the limewash will have on the attractive stone church which is a focal point in the Dales village made famous by the James Herriot TV series.

St Oswald's church in Askrigg (Image: Northern Echo)

One said that the limewash, which would appear much brighter than the church tower's natural stone, would 'blight' the building and was akin to 'placing a lighthouse in the middle of Upper Wensleydale'.

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And an online petition set up by Emma Brooke titled 'Stop the Rendering of Askrigg Church's 15th Century Clock Tower' has now attracted 351 signatures of support.

Describing why she set up the petition, Emma states: "The church is not only highly visible in the surrounding village but is a focal point for the whole of the upper Dale and can be seen for many miles around. 

"Should it be rendered it would 'stick out like a sore thumb' and be totally out of keeping with its surroundings.

"We ask that the Diocese give consideration for alternative and less intrusive measures to be investigated to remedy the problem, and that they do not proceed with the current plan."

The Diocese says that the proposed work has been through the rigorous processes of consultation required for a Grade I listed building.

Two test patches of the limewash on St Oswald's church tower in Askrigg (Image: Northern Echo)

This includes a 28-day public notice period, where paper notices are posted up on site, inviting comments from any interested member of the public.

A Diocese spokesman said that external rendering is a traditional process appropriate to an historic building, as confirmed by various specialist conservation experts consulted.

Historic England says that a pigment could be added to the limewash to 'tone down' the colour.

Two sample patches, to show the texture and type of mix, have already been applied to the tower and it is expected that work on the rendering will start in summer 2023.

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