Graham has brought together church leaders, council officials and local representatives after serious structural concerns were raised about the tower at St Andrew’s Church in Middleton-on-the-Wolds.
A recent technical briefing confirmed the tower is in a state of active failure, with engineers warning that parts of the stonework are now in a precarious condition.
For residents, this is not abstract. The church sits at the centre of the village. It is used regularly and stands next to a major road. Any failure would put people at risk and disrupt the area.
The meeting brought together the Vicar, Diocese, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the ward councillor and local stakeholders to agree next steps.
Engineers have identified a combination of long-term and immediate risks:
The outer stone seems not to have been properly bonded with the structure beneath, which has probably weakened the tower over the past 30 plus years
There are serious problems with the mezzanine floor, which apparently lacks proper support
A nearby mature yew tree is affecting ground conditions, contributing to movement in the foundations
There are now clear signs the structure is moving:
Outward movement of the tower walls
Buckling in the west window stonework
Gaps opening between floors and walls
Active cracking in the stone
Because of the risk of falling masonry, engineers have advised restricting access beneath the tower immediately.
There is also a separate public safety concern. The retaining wall along the edge of the churchyard supports land directly above the A614. If that wall were to fail, it could pose a serious danger to road users and cause major disruption.
Responsibility is split. The council is legally responsible for maintaining the retaining wall, while the cost of repairing the tower falls to the Parish Church Council, which has limited funds and will need external support.
Graham is now working with all parties to move quickly from assessment to action.
Graham said: “This is a serious situation and it needs dealing with properly. The safety of people using the church and passing by comes first.
“St Andrew’s is part of the fabric of Middleton. People care about it and want to see it protected.
“I’ve brought everyone together to make sure we are clear on responsibilities and next steps. Now we need to get on with the investigative work and put a plan in place that is deliverable. I will keep working with the council, the Diocese and the community to make that happen.”
