SOME repairs have taken place to a building at the Bronte Bell Chapel in Thornton which suffered substantial damage in a vandalism attack earlier this year.
A fundraising page was set up following the discovery of damage to the roof of the vestry, a building added to the chapel in 1793.
The room was used by Patrick Bronte during his five years as perpetual curate from 1815.
The damage caused included stone copings and roof slates being thrown to the ground and smashed, as well as the timber supports pulled from their placements.
Handrails from a disabled access platform were broken in half.
The Old Bell Chapel action group appealed for people to donate towards the cost of repairs and £700 was raised.
Steve Stanworth, site coordinator at the action group confirmed that the money had been used to buy materials to replace the disabled access platform and make it safe for visitors once again.
He added that the repairs to the vestry roof would take longer and that a cost for this was currently unknown.
He said: “The fundraiser raised £700 and we have to say a massive thank you to all who donated. We have repaired the decking and handrails, also re-stained the wood.
“The vestry roof is more complicated as it is a Grade II listed building and the repairs to this have stricter guidelines.
“We will be seeking guidance on the way forward here, probably from the National Churches Trust. It may be that it is better to leave it rather than give the vandals a new target or replace the whole vestry roof.
“Cost again maybe the defining factor, although I suspect there will be some grant funded assistance.”
At the time of the vandalism he told the Telegraph & Argus that they generally ask those living near to the site to be vigilant, but that the ground drops away and the youths causing the problems are therefore out of sight.
He said they did have some CCTV footage, which has been passed to police, but have been told it is not conclusive.
He added: “I find the complete lack of respect for this area unbelievable and disgraceful, short of locking it full time, we are at a loss how to prevent further damage.”
The chapel dates back more than 400 years, and is located in Thorton, the birthplace of the Bronte children – Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell, who were all christened there.
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