One of Britain’s oldest churches is being given a 21st century refresh, thanks to a donation of over one thousand building blocks from Tarmac Building Products.
Parts of St Catherine’s Church, in Thurrock, Essex, date back to the 12th century. However, the Grade 1 listed site is currently undergoing building works which will add a new extension, as well as kitchen and bathroom facilities, thanks to a grant from Veolia North Thames Trust.
When team members from Tarmac Building Products’ blocks plant in Linford, Essex, heard about the project they were keen to see how they could help. After speaking with Chelmsford-based building contractors, Bakers of Danbury, who were overseeing the project, Tarmac was able to donate over one thousand of its lightweight Durox aircrete blocks.
The donation included nine packs of 100mm 3.6 n blocks; three packs of 100mm 4.2 n blocks; and four packs of 140mm 4.2 n blocks, all of which were made just three miles away at Tarmac Building Products’ Linford Block Plant.
Tarmac’s Durox range is renowned for being one of the largest lightweight aircrete blocks solutions on the market. With an increased blocks size, the range requires less mortar joints and can contribute to a much faster build time. As well as offering excellent strength, and both exceptional acoustic and thermal performance, the Durox range can be used above and below-ground foundation walls, making it one of the most versatile aircrete blocks on the market.
Colin Moore, Yard Manager at Tarmac Building Products’ Linford Block Plant, commented: “St Catherine’s is a lively part of the local community, so it’s great news that the church has been awarded a grant to expand.
“When we heard the news we wanted to get in touch to see how we could show our support. I imagine a lot of the original building stone was sourced locally in the 12th century so, as we’re based just a few miles away, we thought it would quite fitting to donate our blocks which are made just down the road.”
Rev. Canon Paul Robinson, Vicar of St Catherine’s, added: “We were really overwhelmed that Tarmac Building Products generously donated every specification of Durox blocks needed to build the extension to the church. They even went further and persuaded local firm, Canute Transport, to make the delivery free of charge and worked with the site contractors to make sure everything was exactly as needed.
“The extension will provide the church with toilets, a kitchen and a decent heating system for the first time in its 800 year history. As a result this historic building is going to get used by the church and the community far more than it has been ever before. When finished, the Durox’s blocks will rightly stand the test of time in a building that has already stood for eight centuries. We’ll see twenty first century Tarmac products giving a 12th Century church a new lease of life.”
The building works are due to be completed in August and St Catherine’s is expected to re-open shortly afterwards.
