Padley Chapel - Grindleford at Padley, Grindleford, Derbyshire S30 1BB UK - Lightning Strikes Shrine

East Gable where lightning struck and shattered the cross.

Padley Chapel has a long and fascinating history and is the sort of place that continues to command attention - history continues to unfold and a new chapter has just been added to the Padley story, although one that we would have preferred to have avoided. On the evening of 21st October 2006 a very unremarkable and minor thunder storm rumbled up the Derwent Valley. I rushed indoors as the rain was far more impressive than the thunder, and thought no more of it. I was therefore horrified when an hour later at about 7.30 pm Fire Brigade Headquarters rang to tell me that the Chapel had been struck by lightning and was on fire, would I please attend. My husband and I rushed across the village to find the track blocked by two fire engines and an awful lot of firemen. By this time the blaze had been put out but in the dark, even using their large torches, it was impossible to see the extent of the damage. At about 6.30 pm there had been an extremely loud bang which had actually been a direct lightning strike on the stone cross on the end of the apex of the east end of the roof. This had attracted the attention of some young campers in the Park Rangers Barn opposite who had then retreated back indoors because of the rain. Luckily it also caught the attention of the railway signal men in the signal box close by. One of them for whatever reason turned to look back in the direction of the chapel a second time and saw that there was an orange glow appearing around the edge of the stone slates. He realised that the roof was on fire and raised the alarm. The Fire Brigade were on the scene in four minutes, so I was told, which is remarkable when you consider the state of the road. They had to force an entry which was rather distressingly easily accomplished despite all the security measures, and the fire put out very quickly. Daylight revealed that the first four or five bays of the roof had been burnt but that most of the stone slates had continued to be supported by the massive oak rafters beneath. Damage to the rafters was minimal. Melted tar from the roof felting had fallen onto the altar and floor and furniture and there are water and soot stains but nothing that cannot easily be repaired. The electric wiring will also have to be replaced due to the damage caused by the electric surge of the lightning. Padley Chapel had an unbelievably fortunate escape. Had it not been for the railway signal men we could have lost the entire building along with its Catholic history and architectural importance. The force of the strike was immense - the Rangers from Brunts Barn very kindly searched the area and picked up fragments of the stone cross that had been blown from the roof. They told me that pieces were found over a radius of at least 100 yards! Roof repairs are now complete, internal repairs are imminent, the old cross was beyond repair but the pieces provided the design for the new one which is now in place. Celia White February 2007 Latest News Although roof repairs are now complete there is still much internal work to be done before the chapel can be opened again to the public. Authorisation has been received to install a lightning conductor but the relevant authorities have yet to agree on how and when work will proceed. Your prayers are requested that work may proceed quickly and well. The Blessed Martyrs of Padley, Nicholas Garlick and Robert Ludlam, along with St Jude and St Rita and all the saints are asked to intercede with Almighty God in order that the Shrine may quickly return to its role as a place of spiritual comfort and benefit to so many people. Feast of St George 23rd April 2007

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