THE Grand Old Lady has been restored to its prime following completion of essential roof and drainage repairs.

St Mary Magdalene Church, in Belmont, near Durham, nicknamed the Grand Old Lady by parishioners, is one of the two latest beneficiaries in the Durham diocese from funding from The Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.

Repairs have made both St Mary Magdalene and St Chad’s, at Bensham, Gateshead, weather proof for the foreseeable future.

The church, standing prominently at the junction of Broomside Lane and the High Street, Carrville, now boasts newly refurbished roofing and rainwater systems.

Both repairs were considered long overdue and were completed with the help of an £11,900 award from the fund, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in March last year.

St Mary Magdalene was one of 502 churches assisted by grants awarded nationally from a total funding package of £30m, and one of seven in the diocese.

It was enhanced by the fundraising efforts of the church congregation plus members of the local community in meeting the overall £26,000-plus final bill for the work.

Overseen by architect David Beaumont of Beaumont:brown, Castle Eden, County Durham, the work was completed by roofing contractor David Ferguson, of Hayden Bridge, Northumberland,

The Reverend Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, vicar of The United Benefice of St Mary Magdalene, Belmont, and St Laurence, at nearby Pittington, is delighted with the new look church building.

She said it was achieved by the contractors despite stormy weather conditions, with high winds and heavy rainfall, during the latter months of 2015.

“St Mary Magdalene is central to this community, not just geographically, at the centre of the road leading into Belmont, but also in the lives of so many people who live here.

“Hundreds of people use this building each week, for worship, choir, craft activities and more.

“It’s been great to see how warmly the local community have responded, so that the roof is in good order for the next 150 years.”

Before and after photographs reveal the benefits of having been a grateful recipient of this funding.

The Listed Place of Worship Roof Repair Grant is a government-sponsored fund, set up to help make the UK’s listed places of worship weathertight, safe and open for use.

Applications can now be made for the second round of funding, with a closing date of February 26.

More information available via the Northumbria Historic Churches Trust, on www.northumbriahct.org.uk, which features advice and small grants to help preserve the Christian heritage of the North-East.

Other churches to have been assisted by the fund in the diocese, include Christ Church, in Consett, and St Mary Magdalene, at Trimdon.