In March 2006, the five-yearly report by our Church Architect recommended an urgent inspection of the lighting system. As a result, in February 2008 the wiring was overhauled and the circuit boards upgraded.  The cost of £2038 was donated by Gwen Humphries.

Since then, those who attend church will have noticed frequent failure of light bulbs and that some fittings no longer work.  In addition, current EU regulations mean that the bulbs won’t be available and the existing fittings can no longer be used.  So, urgent action was required.

In 2009, several proposals were considered by the PCC and a scheme agreed.  It was designed by Pete Powers of Bridgerule, who would do the installation, and materials would be supplied by Safe & Sound Electrical Supplies of Kings Hill, Bude.  Details of the type of lighting are shown below.  The total cost was estimated at £8500 which covers the lights, the cost of fitting and VAT.

A Faculty (ie permission to do the work) was sought - but the priority was to raise funds so that some of the work could be done before winter 2009/10.

The lighting in the Nave and the North and South Aisles has now been completed at a cost of around £6000 - raised by a grant from The Blanchminster Trustees and from donations from individuals/families who have sponsored particular lights.

In addition, two new light fittings are being installed outside the South Porch (the main entrance to St Andrew’s) that will be automatically on from dusk to dawn. The cost is likely to be £300 to £400.

To complete this main phase, FoStA made a grant to cover the whole cost of £2824 for the lighting of the Chancel and the side Chapels, with a combination of floodlighting and spotlights.

February 2011.  This project is nearing completion with the addition of four new lights that highlight the Vestry and Refreshments area at the north west end, and the Font/Bookstall area at the southwest.  A spotlight that focuses on the font and its immediate area that will be used onlyduring Baptisms is being installed - and the whole scheme will be complete.

FoStA PROJECT  - CHURCH LIGHTING - £8500 estimate

Examples of the light fittings and the proposed locations