Tower Fund Appeal
St Mary’s Bell Tower Appeal
In 2010 the church was made aware that work to St Mary’s Bell Tower was required. The only access to the ringing chamber is via a vertical wooden ladder and this now fails to meet sensible health and safety requirements. If the bells of St Mary’s are not to fall silent after 300 years of ringing, then significant building work is needed.
After receiving specialist advice, the production of detailed architectural drawings and obtaining permissions from the appropriate authorities a solution to this issue has been found. However modifying an historic building is never easy or cheap.
New access to the bell ringing chamber can be established by creating a doorway from the tower staircase. In addition the stone steps need levelling after hundreds of years of use.
The proposed bell tower works offer many benefits including:
· Enabling the bells to continue ringing
· Allowing school groups and the local community to view these historic bells being rung
· Helping in the recruitment of bell ringers and improving access to visiting ringers
· Providing safer access and encouragement to the loyal ringing team
An appeal has been launched to raise the necessary funds to ensure the work can be undertaken. We hope to be able to complete the building program during 2012 in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the London Olympics, the Civic Service, and the many weddings that take place at St. Mary’s.
The local community and businesses, in addition to the church congregation are being asked for their support. Grants are also being applied for.
A series of fundraising events including a Christmas Tree festival, Quiz night, Christmas Bazaar and Carol Singing have been held and these raised £2500. Other events are planned for the first half of 2012.
Donations to the St Mary’s Bell Tower appeal will be gratefully received. For card payments you can donate via our JustGiving website.
Cheques can be sent to:
St Mary’s Parish Office, The Vicarage, Wilson Way, Woking GU21 4QJ
Any suggestions, questions or offers of help can be made to office@stmarys-horsell.org.uk or by phone on 01483 772134