WRITINGS from the past have come to light during repair work in the parish church at Halwill.

The historical surprise was found under rotting floorboards in the vestry of St Peter and St James Parish Church.

During work to replace the floorboards and joists, signatures of previous churchwardens and a carpenter from 1907 were revealed.

The Rev Jane Lucas said: "We found a hole in the vestry floor and had a working party to take up the floor with our architect.

"That's when we discovered that one of the floorboards had this writing on in pencil. It was very interesting."

Even today, builders often leave written mementoes concealed in their work to be discovered by future generations, — so it was in 1907 when those involved in work at the church left their mark, little knowing it would take more than a century before it was revealed.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.