NHER 6596 (Building record) - St Mary's Church, Bessingham, Sustead

October 1960. Listed, Grade II*.
Listing Decription Excerpt:
"Parish church. Medieval, extensively restored in C19, the tower being restored during re-survey. Flint, ironbound conglomerate. Tile roof. Cll west tower, nave, south porch, continuous chancel. Embattled round tower of random conglomerate and flint. Small round-headed opening to west. Blocked slit lights to north and south. Twin triangular-headed bell-openings with conglomerate imposts and central shafts… "
Information from (S1).
Please consult the National Heritage List for England (S1) for the current listing details.
H. Hamilton (HES), 07 August 2023.

Before 4 August 1986. Field Observation.
Round tower of different builds - for show? - with 11th century belfry windows cutting earlier openings. West and north walls nave of same date. North door dates to around 1300. Chancel and nave south wall date to the 15th century and are in the Perpendicular style. Much restored 1869.
See HER Notes (S5) for full, detailed report.
See also re-typed version of report (S6).
Publications (S8), (S9), (S10),and (S11) are discussed in report (S5).
E. Rose (NAU) 4 August 1986.

22 August 1986. Field Observation.
Tower examined from scaffolding.
Additional details of phases of construction were recorded. At the first floor stage of the tower, the interior of the slit windows are splayed circular windows. Small holes noted in the earlier report may be joist holes, indicating that the present floor may have been lowered from its original height. At the third stage, the slit windows are blocked in medieval brick. At the belfry level, remains of two well-rpreserved circular windows were observed above each bell opening and these appear to be 19th century. The bellframe it self is 19th century, and the tower was cut to incorporate it. One bell retains a 1699 inscription and the other is large and plain.
Other observations:
Calcined flintwork noted on the west side of the south face of the porch.
Stonework on entrance arch jamb is reddened, suggesting a fire at some date.
See HER Notes (S5) and re-typed version of report (S6) for details.
See also photographs (S7).
H. Hamilton (HES), 07 August 2023.

Restoration work shows that the belfry windows are below, not cutting circular windows, but there does appear to be two phases of work.
E. Rose (NAU) 16 December 1988.

September 1992. Restoration work completed.
The church bells have been restored and will be re-hung at the end of the month.
Information from newspaper article (S17).
H. Hamilton (HES), 07 August 2023.