8:30pm Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Nazia Parveen
A FUNDRAISING campaign to raise £250,000 to save a prominent feature of the Clitheroe skyline has been launched.
The 20 metre-tall spire at Clitheroe’s St Mary Magdalene CofE Church is to be completely rebuilt.
However church bosses need to raise the large amount of cash before work can begin.
The decision to save the spire, which dates back to 1848, was made at a meeting of the Parochial Church Council.
Last year remedial work was carried out on structure in Church Street to prevent any danger to the public and the historic building.
However, following a survey by a structural engineer and a firm of steeplejacks, it was discovered the spire was only safe in the short term and needed further improvements.
Priest-in-charge the Rev Andy Froud called on the community to help raise the funds.
He said: “A longer term solution is needed for the spire as it will struggle to survive in future bad weather conditions.
“We had a productive meeting with the church council and architects and we have decided to complete rebuild the spire as it is.
“But we do not have the funds at the moment and therefore we need all the help we can get.”
Church bosses are currently preparing an application for a grant from English Heritage and will be holding a series of fundraising events over the year to raise the cash.
There has been a church on the site since at least 1122, when the building was granted to the Priory of St John in Pontefract.
In 1283 the church passed into the possession of Stanlaw Abbey and became one of the chapels of Whalley Church.
Rev Froud said: “Over the past 100 years residents have got used to the spire being part of Clitheroe’s skyline and therefore it is important that we save it.
“I am really pleased that we took the decision to save it and now we will have to rely on the generosity of English Heritage and individual donors to help fund the scheme.”
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