Church
bell good as newBy Charlotte Reynolds
You will be thrilled to hear that the Church bell has now returned to its rightful place in the bellcote of St John the Baptist church and is ready to sound out across The Lee once more.
Following extensive remedial work to the wooden staple from which it hangs and after some tender loving care to the bell itself, it has been re-hung and is ready to ring in many more New Years to come. Our thanks for organising and overseeing this labour go gratefully to Bill Pearce and the members of the PCC, who have given up much time and good humour to enable the works to be completed with such efficient speed.
As you may have seen when visiting the church or indeed read about in these columns, the repair and restoration work was started in early September and completed in October. It was deemed necessary due to the great age and historic importance of the bell. It was cast in 1290 and is one of the oldest bells in England that is still in continuous use. So therefore very much worth preserving and a bell to be proud of!
However as any cosmetic surgeon will attest a little face lift does not come cheap. Therefore we have begun a period of fund-raising for both the bell fund and for a rolling programme of general repairs to the Church of St John the Baptist.
Our first event, a ‘Belle Evening’ of fashion, fizz and frivolity back in
September proved that any economic downturn has not affected the superb generosity
of the ‘ladies of The Lee’ and surrounding villages. A huge thanks to my
fellow committee members, Annie, Gilly and Nicky, who worked very hard to
make it the success it was. And what a success… We raised £1,000 which
is a fantastic start to the nearly £5,000 which we need to raise for
the works on the bell alone.Other events undertaken which have raised money are a sponsored bike ride and the sale of chickens (and it wasn’t a paltry sum for the poultry either!). We have also received two grants, one from our own Lee Parish Council and one from The Sharpe Trust, which specialises in funding church restorations. So no fowl play there but just a very grateful thanks to all who have supported us thus far in our endeavours.
Watch this space for more news of events and happenings to keep our church alive and thriving.