The parish church of St John the Baptist, Somersham is a Grade I listed building.  Following the Quinquennial inspection of the church in 2004 a five-year plan was drawn up by the PCC to affect the repairs that were highlighted in the report.  There were a number areas identified as needing urgent repair and these were prioritized into different phases.  Phase 1, the current phase addresses the three most urgent items: the replacement of the lead sheet on the South Aisle roof, which was over 100 years old and beyond repair, the pointing of the Tower Buttresses to secure loose masonry and the replacement of the floor and supports in the organ loft, which is completely rotten.  To keep the costs down it was also agreed that pointing repairs on the South Clerestory and re leading of the South Clerestory Windows would be done at the same time as the South Aisle roof while the scaffolding was in place.  Unfortunately, these plans went adrift when delays put the project into the bat-breeding season.

Phase 1 of the project was originally to be completed as a single project but due to circumstances beyond our control and the immanent breeding season of the pipistrelles bats that roost in the church, the project had to be split into 2 Stages.  Stage 1 covered all of the work apart from the replacement of the lead sheet to the South Aisle roof.  This meant that  the work had to be done as Stage 2 commencing 1 Oct 05. 

Stage 1 included the removal of rust and the repainting of all the external ironwork, including down pipes and gutters.  Replacement of tiles on the South side of the Chancel Roof, pointing and masonry repairs to the South Clerestory Wall, repairs to the stonework of the Clerestory Windows and Tower Buttresses.  Re-glazing of the South Clerestory Windows using the old glass but new lead.  Replacing the floor in the organ loft.  This involved the organ being dismantled while the floor was replaced.

During this period, to save money, the PCC also authorized and funded the repair of the Great Sound Board, which had received water damage some years ago.  The organ is now restored and in full working order.   This work was competed just in time for the bats returning to breed.

The new lead was fitted during October using traditional methods including rolled joints.  The stone buttress ends were reseated and some additional pointing carried out to the chancel wall above the south roof which was accessible from the scaffolding.   

 It is  with thanks to the members of the congregation, the friends of the church and the residents of Somersham, who have supported the Church through the Village Restoration Appeal, that this work has been achieved.  Our thanks also go to the following organizations that have given financial support to the project: English Heritage, The Historic Churches Preservation Trust, Cambridge Historic Churches Trust (WREN - World Renewable Energy Network), SITA Trust (Land Fill Taxes), Huntingdon District Council and the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.