Early in 2002 St Mary's started having problems with the lighting and power system. Trips triggered and fuses blew unexpectedly. When the fabric committee began to investigate they found no trace of a test certificate for the wiring.

CES were contacted via the Rochester Diocese contractors list to undertake a full test of the installation. We found that much of the cabling in the church, although well installed was now 50 years old and in need of replacement. The only viable solution was a complete re-wire.

Re-lighting the church had been considered some years earlier and it was decided to take the opportunity to replace interior lighting with a more modern and controllable system that reflected the current uses of the building.

A number of contractors were contacted via the DAC list of approved contractors. CES were initially commissioned to produce a design and specification for the re-wiring.

There followed a competitive tender process and a lighting demonstration to interested members of the congregation and the DCC, to show some of the effects possible with modern lighting technology and fittings.

Members of the fabric committee then visited a number of churches where CES had already completed schemes before awarding the contract for the design and installation of a new lighting and power system for the entire building.

The lighting design incorporates a computerised dimmer system with a number of pre-programmed 'scenes' to suite different types of service. These scenes can be selected at the touch of a single button at the front or the rear of the church.

The job was competed in 8 weeks with no disruption to Sunday services.