MEMBERS of Bromsgrove Rotary watched on as the intrepid steeplejacks took to the spire of the town’s historic St John’s Church after supporting the project to return it to its former glory.
Through the Len Giles Trust the Rotarians offered to pay for the repairs which cost £2,500 and have pledged a further £5,000 towards the Spire Appeal.
The steeplejacks replaced eight steel straps around the top of the spire which hold together the cracking stonework on Worcestershire’s tallest spire.
The team at Bromsgrove Rotary were amongst those who saw the intrepid duo at work and were keen to offer their support to Bromsgrove’s landmark building.
Jo Slade, Chair of the Friends of St John’s, said “We are so very grateful to the Rotarians in Bromsgrove.
“When the cracks at the top of the spire were first noticed, Bromsgrove Rotary funded the emergency repairs.
“To keep everyone safe we had to renew the temporary repairs and the Rotarians were again keen to support the work, and have made a contribution to the full repair and restoration project, which we hope will be completed this year.”
Rotarian Amal Rampal from from Bromsgrove Rotary said:
“We recognise the significance of St John’s in Bromsgrove as a heritage building for the whole community, and as a landmark for our town.
“We were keen to fund the temporary repairs and to contribute to the Spire Appeal.
“We were thrilled to hear the Friends had received an award of almost £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the urgent restoration work, and we wish them all the best in raising the additional funds.”
St John’s Spire Appeal aims to raise £360,000 plus VAT to replace the top section of the spire where the encased iron rod is rusting, causing the stonework to crack.
Email the Friends at [email protected] or visit justgiving.com/campaign/stjohns-spire to donate to the appeal.
