Ep 1. St Thomas a Beckett Church

Restoration Home is a television series that follows the journey of six historical buildings that have been neglected and abandoned for decades. The show aims to showcase the unique architectural styles and designs of each building and the challenges that come with restoration. In season 1 episode 1, the show centers around St. Thomas a Beckett Church, a 12th-century church in rural England that has been derelict for over 25 years.

The episode starts with a brief history of the church and how it fell into disrepair. We learn that the church was abandoned in the mid-1980s due to a dwindling congregation and lack of funds. The church found itself in a sorry state with a collapsing roof, overgrown vegetation, and a leaking bell tower. Despite its derelict state, the church is a Grade II listed building, which means it is protected under British law, and any restoration work must be approved by the local council.

The show's host, Caroline Quentin, meets the church's current owner, Mark, who bought the church on impulse without realizing the extent of the work needed to restore it. Mark, who is a graphic designer by profession, confesses that he has no experience in construction or renovation work, but he is determined to restore the church to its former glory.

Caroline takes Mark on a historical tour of the church, pointing out areas that need immediate attention, such as the leaking roof and the bell tower that requires stabilizing. Mark realizes that the task ahead is more significant than he anticipated but decides to soldier on. The church restoration architect, Matthew, joins Caroline and Mark on the tour to advise on what work needs to be done and how much it will cost.

The restoration team starts by removing the overgrown vegetation that has grown around the church for over 25 years, making it difficult to access the entrance. Inside the church, the team removes the pews, panelling, and plaster to reveal the church's structure. During this work, they discover a 700-year-old grave slab belonging to a knight, which had been hidden for centuries under the floorboards. The team carefully removes it and adds it to the church's vast collection of historical artefacts.

The restoration team has to overcome several challenges during the restoration process, including the logistics of getting a crane into the small churchyard and extensive work on the bell tower, which has to be stabilized. Matthew and Mark, with Caroline's support, consult with the local council, who approve of the work once they are satisfied that the church's character remains intact. The restoration team also has to work within the confines of a tight budget, which forces them to cut corners and improvise where necessary.

The restoration of St Thomas a Beckett Church took over two years to complete and cost Mark over £400,000, which was double his initial budget. Despite the challenges, the restoration team managed to restore the church to a state of grandeur, reminiscent of its glory days. The team's hard work and perseverance paid off, and the church is now open to the public and available for weddings, christenings, and other events.

In conclusion, Restoration Home season 1 episode 1, St. Thomas a Beckett Church, is a captivating journey of how a historical building can be restored despite several challenges. The show's host, Caroline Quentin, and the restoration architect, Matthew, guide Mark through the process while sharing bits of history that make the restoration work more meaningful. Anyone with an interest in historical preservation or property restoration will find this episode and the entire series fascinating and informative.