Anonymous donor helps restore St Peter's Church in Lower Heswall to its former glory

A generous anonymous donation has helped fund the restoration work currently underway at St Peter's Church in Heswall Lower Village.

The main focus of the project is the repair and maintenance of the Church's 13th century tower.

Says Church Warden, David Rushworth: "The works mainly consist of chipping out some of the old mortar, replacing it with 'hot lime', and repairing or replacing some of the damaged stonework, especially on the north and west faces, which get the worst of the weather."

'Hot lime' is a type of mortar which is durable and particularly useful when restoring masonry.

David adds: "In our time at the Church, we are the guardians, and it behoves us to ensure that we hand it on to the next generation in as good as, of not better, condition than when we took responsibility for it."

The £40,000 project began on July 12 and will take ten weeks to complete, and St Peter's is very grateful to the anonymous donor whose generous contribution has helped power the scheme.

St Peter's is one of several listed buildings in Heswall and Gayton. Though part of the tower dates back several centuries, the main body of the church was rebuilt in 1879 and the south chapel was added 14 years later.

It is notable for, amongst other things, some fine stained glass work by notable Victorian designer and manufacturer, Charles Eamer Kempe.

In the churchyard another listed object can be found - a sundial.

It's tall and dates from 1726, and surrounded by steps on to which, presumably, you'd climb if you wanted to check the time. Unfortunately, the sundial's gnomon – the projecting piece that shows the hour of the day by the position of its shadow – is missing.

So if you visit St Peter's and have an important meeting afterwards, take your phone or wear your watch.