Bat group takes on its largest challenge with church project
False roof to be installed to allow bats to peacefully roost
Work has begun on a £100,000 project to help the people and bats of West Grinstead’s 11th century,GradeIlistedStGeorge’s Church.
The project, funded by the Bats in Churches partnership, will see a false roof reinstated below the timber beams of the historic building to allow bats to roost in the church without disturbing the congregation.
It is the largest and most expensive project by Bats in Churches, a partnership between Natural England, Bat Conservation Trust, the Church of England, Churches ConservationTrustandHistoric England, majority funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
St George’s is home to several species of bats and the church has lived with its bat population for many generations. However, the nocturnal occupants cause damage to nationally significant historic monuments.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no health risk to humans from bats, the project said.
Bats are a protected species and Bats in Churches has issued a licence for the works, overseen by ecologists.
The project will create a wildlife-friendly solution to improve the habitat for the bats, whilstprotectingandpreserving the church for community use.
The Rev Alison Letschka, PriestinCharge,said:“StGeorge’s isaveryengagingchurchandI’m notsurprisedthatlocalbatsenjoy it too. It’s a place where we praise God for all of creation.
“We are delighted that Bats in Churches are making it possible for bats and church users to co-exist and for the fabric of the church to be preserved for future generations. The new ceiling will greatly enhance the churchnotjustforweddings,but first and foremost for worship Sunday by Sunday, and also for communityevents,schoolvisits, concertsandsoon.Keepingfaith alive, welcoming everyone and welcoming the bats too.”
In addition to funding the ceiling works, Bats in Churches has also supported St George’s by appointing experts to assist with protection of historic monuments, electrical and lighting work, as well as data and information about the bat populationandthesustainability of the church.
Honor Gay, engagement officer from Bats in Churches, said: “This is a very exciting project marking a major investment into a Grade I listed building, and intervention with the bat population to keep the church community functional.”
The work should be completedbylateNovemberand hasbeentimedtocauseminimal disturbancetothebatpopulation before it goes into hibernation.