Historic England Chief Executive, Duncan Wilson OBE, together with Emily Gee, London Planning Director, paid a visit to Bexley on Friday afternoon (24 February). They attended at the invitation of Bexleyheath and Crayford MP, Rt Hon David Evennett, to look at St Paulinus Church in Crayford, which is the only “heritage at risk” site in Bexley.
Mr Wilson and Ms Gee joined Mr Evennett and St Paulinus Church Administrator, Kelly Tharby, on a tour of the Church and noted the problems of damp, drainage, deterioration and stonework issues. An application for Heritage Lottery funding has been made and there is a need for approximately £250,000, to help to preserve the structure of the beautiful and historic medieval parish church.
The Church on the hill in Crayford town is an important heritage site and has been a place of religious worship as well as an important local landmark for nearly a thousand years. Amongst its most noted worshippers was 18th Century Admiral of the Fleet Sir Cloudesley Shovell MP, who resided with his family in Mayplace. His wife is buried in the church.
After the church visit Mr Evennett took Mr Wilson and Ms Gee to see the beautiful and important Hall Place for a tour of the house and gardens.