Repaired Warwick church set for Summer Serenade

Buy photos » The scaffolding in place over the church last year. (s)

THE BELLS are ringing once again at a Warwick church and a concert on Saturday night (May 12) is expected to take it another step towards completion of a major fund-raising drive.

Bell ringing stopped in early 2009 at St Nicholas' Church – based opposite Warwick Castle – due to its tower and 18th century spire falling into disrepair.

But a major rebuilding project costing £234,000 was launched and grants and various fund-raising events have now raised all but £48,000 of the hefty total. Bells rang out again for the first time in almost three years last November.

Wellesbourne Choral Society perform a Serenade for Summer at the church on Saturday in aid of its Spire Appeal,

starting at 7.30pm.

Before the concert, and during the interval, the audience will be able to see a multi-media presentation showing the bell-ringers at work.

Church spokesman Trevor Langley said: “The spire is one of the first things visitors to Warwick see as they approach the town but it had developed a major crack, which meant that bell-ringing had to cease in January 2009 and the spire was held together with steel bands. It was wrapped in scaffolding from March to December last year as work was carried out.

“Our own work continues to raise all the remaining funds to pay for this very special project.”

Ticket to Saturday's show are £8, available on the door. Call 01926 495469 for more details.

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