Whissendine, St Andrew

The Church

Set within the charming Rutland village of Whissendine, St Andrew’s is famous for its impressive C14th west tower, which dominates the landscape and can be seen from miles away.

One of the largest churches in Rutland, this magnificent Grade I listed building was extensively restored in 1865-70 and most of the fittings and furnishings date from the Victorian era. A medieval screen from the old chapel at St John's College, Cambridge was installed in the south aisle during the restoration.

The nave roof is graced with a series of very fine carved timber figures, dating from medieval and later periods. Seated figures wearing what appear to be mitres probably represent saints. Some carvings represent musicians and singers while others depict human and animal heads.

 

Our Work

St Andrew's is home to a long-established maternity colony of Natterer's bats, with accumulations of droppings under roosting sites behind some of the carved corbals in the nave roof.

There is extensive urine staining and droppings scattered throughout the church, with the bats flying around inside throughout the summer breeding season.

Following surveys in 2021 the church worked with the Bats in Churches project to find sustainable solutions to reduce the mess, smell and nuisance without harming the bats.

A well-attended bat night was held in September 2021. In February 2023 the church hosted a cleaning workshop. The church is monitored for the National Bat Monitoring Programme roost count and is planning to install bat boxes in the churchyard, funded by the BiC project.

Whissendine Case Study Poster

Whissendine Bat Management Plan