A fantastic community effort ensured church services could continue after Storm Eowyn.
Last month’s fierce winds brought down a tree onto St Margaret’s Church in New Galloway, with the first service after the red weather warning cancelled as the building wasn’t safe.
But the prompt actions of priest Rev Dawn Matthew in getting local contractors to help ensured it was business as usual by the following week.
As well as dealing with the tree, there was the issue that the oak lychgate wasn’t wide enough to allow vehicles access. Richard Kirsch from Glenkens Tree Surgeons then worked with Jim Campbell from Andrew Campbell and Sons to borrow specialist roof ladders which allowed the tree to be painstakingly removed piece by piece.
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It then became apparent that many of the roof tiles had been damaged with the danger of water ingress but by the end of the week, Campbell’s had repaired the roof and Sunday services were resumed.
Rev Dawn said: “Everyone worked so hard on our behalf – insurers, loss adjusters, the tree surgeons and the builders.”