Restoration work on the wooden spire at St Mary’s church began in February. The spire, built in the seventeen hundreds had wooden Shakes (wooden panels that make up the exterior of the spire) which had succumbed to weather and insect attacks and had started to fall off. As well as fund raising events held by the Friends of St Mary’s the Churches Conservation Trust successfully secured funding for this important work from the Culture Recovery Fund. The Friends of Kent Churches also provided a generous donation, as did the Rochester Bridge Trust who kindly funded the new oak shakes.