THE gates to an historic Dorset church have undergone a major restoration

The imposing 19th century gates to the historic Holnest Church are back in position, following extensive repairs and restoration by experts in the field of ironwork repairs at Newton Forge, Sturminster Newton.

 The church is set back from the busy A352 Sherborne to Dorchester road and surrounded by its churchyard, a site of nature conservation interest (SNCI).

The church with its origins in the 13th century, is Grade 1 listed. It has many unique architectural features.

At the church entrance, between two stone pillars, hang a pair of imposing wrought iron gates erected around 1872. After a century and a half of exposure to all wind and weathers, the gates were rapidly becoming unsafe. They had numerous cracks; pieces had broken off that required refixing and they were in a poor decorative state.

A generous grant from the Ironmongers’ Company of £5,676 and another from the Friends of Holnest Church of £2,016, added to £4,800 previously set aside by Holnest Church, enabled the PCC to begin the repairs and restoration works.