Project Leaders Speak Out

In the second instalment of our staff interviews, we spoke to two fundamental members of the project team, Sophie Slade and Nigel Aplin, who are responsible for managing and delivering the major project outcomes and making sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible.

Sophie Slade, Project Coordinator
"Taking up the role of Project Coordinator has been a fascinating and enjoyable experience. I feel very honoured to be tasked with overseeing such a complex and important project. St Mary's is one of the most interesting historic buildings I have known and the various communities and visitors who benefit from it help to bring it to life. I am most looking forward to seeing the freshly conserved and repaired building emerge. It will also be a joy to see improved facilities for the staff and visitors."

Nigel Aplin, Project Manager
"As project manager for the building works, I am delighted to see the scaffolding being erected around the tower and spire, ahead of the main construction works commencing in the New Year. This is the culmination of nearly four years leading the Church and designers through the project process, working through several steps to get us to this position:

1. Feasibility stage: taking the initial ideas and identifying the scope and budget cost of the works; formulating a plan and programme to undertake the works; and identifying ways of funding the project.

2. Concept Design stages: successfully bidding for Heritage Lottery Fund development money to develop the building design ideas; develop our thoughts on the how the Church can tell its story and involve the community.

3. Enabling building works: provide an office base (and new toilets!) for the Church to occupy during the main building works.

4. Design Completion: successfully bidding for the major Heritage Lottery Fund implementation grant, having raised over £1million to allow us to bid. This allowed us to complete our design work and detail how the education and interpretation programmes will work. We have followed this by tendering the building works over the past months.

For me, one of our greatest challenges has been in programming the works whilst keeping parts of this iconic building safely open. The Church wished to remain at least partially open for worship and ministry during the works, so either the Nave or Chancel will be kept open. This has required early remodelling of the Narthex office, providing a new kitchenette and toilets, which can be independently used throughout the building works. Additionally, the tower and café are major attractions, particularly busy during the summer months, providing income and local employment, so these are programmed to be closed during the quieter winter months, which provide a technical challenge for accessing and repairing the stonework. We are now working with Beard, our building contractor, to minimise disruption and ensure smooth running during the works.

Whilst four years seems a long time, we are still on target to complete the main building works in late 2012, as originally planned. This reflects the dedication and enthusiasm of the Church and its designers to meet the target dates set out at the start of this journey. "