VILLAGERS have responded to a plea to help save a dilapidated village chapel.

A public meeting last month over the future of the 151-year-old fenced-off building at Clearwell Cemetery was attended by several local people who wanted to help preserve it.

And another meeting at the village’s memorial hall at 10am on Thursday, February 1, is set to hear from Jim Chapman, who has lots of experience in forming trusts and rescuing and preserving buildings of local historical significance.

Planning permission has also been granted by the Forest council to cut down 12 self-sown trees which were endangering the Gothic Revival chapel and the boundary wall.

Assistant church warden Isabel Winstanley said: “The public meeting held on December 8 generated interest from a number of local people who wish to move forward with preserving the cemetery chapel at Clearwell.

“And work has already begun on clearing pathways and self planted trees to prevent further damage to the chapel and improve access to the cemetery to enable locals to tend their family graves. 

“Anyone who would like to join us is welcome and we would be glad to hear from anyone who has the skills and time to join a trust board or join the working party to undertake practical jobs at the cemetery.” 

Built by renowned Gothic Revival architect John Middleton in 1867, the chapel has been fenced off for several years as the entrance door is in danger of collapse from the weight of the damaged rose window above it, caused by a large tree growing next to the main door, which has now been cut down.

Launching the appeal for help last autumn, Rev Alan Wearmouth said: “Our aim is to preserve this historic building for which our parish has no use and which we cannot afford to repair and maintain. It would be a sad loss if it was to fall into total disrepair.

“The parochial church council wishes to meet with those interested in finding a future for the chapel which is open to a range of possible re-uses.”

And applying to cut down the 12 trees, he told Forest planners that two beside the chapel were “impacting adversely” on the structure, while most of the “self-sown and largely diseased trees” were damaging the stability of the boundary wall.

Graves beside the chapel include the burial plot of Clearwell Victoria Cross winner Francis Miles, who single-handedly took out two enemy machine gun posts a century ago this year, and lived in the village until 1961. 

Anyone who would like to help save the chapel is asked to contact parish co-ordinator Alison Stuttard on 01594 368849.