Anytime I get asked to repair, restore or make keys for Church Locks is always a special honour for me.

Its almost a transportation back in time when working on these Old Locks.

The Team at Upper Wylye Valley have no doubt there was a church at Norton Bavant in the Mid-12th Century, and a dedication was mentioned in 1364.

I am very fortunate that I have great friends around me that can help me Source Rare original key blanks to work on, and then be able to produce works of art that are “in keeping” with the original locks that they will operate, rather than modern day cast or dare I say it and in this case the attempt at using the Cheap key blanks usually used by high street & supermarket key cutters.

Although their were cuts within the lock body Fortunately the steel Key hadn’t cut away too much as it had only been used a few times.

The picture of the 3 keys is what we had been given as a start point it shows a snapped one, a steel one, and a very worn one.

The gate latch in the Archway leading into the Chapel dated 14th Century was quite unusual and had rusted and worn and needed slight attention inside to get a “spring” back in its step and working again. it certainly had a good innings and is back fighting fit again.

The Lock servicing & minor repairs including the latch repairs and the making of 6 keys to fit two different lock by hand were made periodically over 4 days. When using original key blanks to produce working copies it can be quite a slow process due to the quite costly price and getting hold of them , One cut to deep or file too wide and its start again time so I am also pleased to say no wasted key blanks on this occasion.

I would like to thank The All Saints Church Norton Bavant (Graham) for seeking me out and agreeing to let me carryout the work required, feeding my passion for this type of work. Also Nik from Wessex for letting Lee rummage around your Key (Keep your hands off) blank treasures and helping speed things along.