Heritage & Conservation

"Stave off decay by daily care" : William Morris 1877


The importance of undertaking regular maintenance cannot be stressed enough.


The four main reasons for maintaining your church building are:


  • preserving heritage: regular, minimal and small-scale work helps maintains original features and fabric


  • saving money: when things go wrong, they cost a lot to put right. Historic England's research undertaken in 2019 'The Value of Maintenance?' showed that acting on small repairs now can save 15-20% in costs further down the line. 


  • preventative maintenance is sustainable; by keeping buildings in a good condition we save the energy and materials needed to repair them


  • promoting guardianship and community involvement: historic churches are in our care in trust for the next generation, as they have been for centuries. Maintenance is an area where you can involve the wider community in caring for their own heritage


The key elements


There are three key elements to maintenance:


  • inspection: undertake regular inspections, to assess condition, identify problems and to decide whether work is necessary


  • regular maintenance tasks: jobs like clearing gutters, testing services, checking for damp and clearing the churchyard


  • minor repairs: ongoing minor repairs to the building, perhaps as the result of extreme weather, can include fixing slipped roof tiles, replacing broken glass or making temporary ‘flashband’ repairs


Why Choose White Dragon Access Ltd?


We provide professional rope access services, allowing maintenance and repair work to be carried out safely and efficiently without the need for scaffolding in many situations. This approach is often particularly well suited to churches and historic buildings, as it can reduce cost, visual impact, and disruption to services and visitors.


Our services include, but are not limited to:

  • Gutter, hopper, and downpipe inspection, clearance, and repair
  • Inspection and maintenance of pulleys, towers, and high-level features
  • Minor and remedial works carried out at height
  • Masonry repairs including brickwork, flintwork, and stonework
  • Lime plastering and lime washing using appropriate traditional methods
  • Vegetation control (herbicide application – licensed)
  • Bird proofing
  • Heritage surveys, inspections, and written reports to assist with maintenance planning and with Quinquennial inspections


We understand the importance of working sensitively on historic and listed buildings, and all works are carried out with due regard to traditional materials, conservation principles, and site-specific requirements.


If this is of interest, We would be very happy to discuss your building, carry out an initial inspection, or provide further information at your convenience.


Contact us to find out more about this service