Tower Appeal: Latest News
The bells ring again!
On Friday 25th November, the bells sounded out over St. Johns for the first time in four years. The bells were rung for a "Test ring" to see if everything was working properly and thankfully they seem to be!
It is hoped that the clock will soon be back in action too.
(Monday 28-November-2011)
Local News...
We've been featured on BBC H&W and in the local newspapers Worcester News and Worcester Standard. You can see a photograph of a bell being lifted on the Worcester Standard's website at http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/2011/10/27/story-Return-of-church-bells-finally-rings-true-21102.html. You can see a video of the bells going up and reaching the top on the Worcester News' website: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/9329787.Bells__four_year_silence_to_be_broken___video/
(Thursday 27-October-2011)
The bells are up!
The bells have been taken up the tower today. Watch out for reports in the local press. You can also watch the tenor bell going up by watching it on Youtube at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EEBm8uC4zY
(Wednesday 26-October-2011)
Bells to go back up!
We have been informed by the contractors working on the tower that the bells will start to be rehung on Wednesday. Although this isn't the completion of the restoration work, it is a significant milestone and means the work is almost complete.
Thank you for all your support and donations. We're nearly there now!
(Monday 24-October-2011)
Church bells will sound again…but not quite yet
Restoration work on the tower at St. John-in-Bedwardine Parish Church, in St. John’s Worcester, has been ongoing since February 2011. The completion of the work was due to be celebrated in mid-September. However, the church has taken the decision to postpone the event because extra necessary restoration work is required inside the tower.
Although it is disappointing for the project to be delayed, the church stressed that it means the Tower will hopefully have been restored to a state that will ensure it stands for the next 500 years!
The extra work has been found as a result of being able to have a closer look at things. Some of this work is essential to allow the bells to ring safely, but other work is to ensure the long term protection of the building. For example, closer inspection revealed that some of the stone window sills had crumbled so completely that water was getting into the tower.
The church is hoping to organise a new date to celebrate the completion of the restoration work. This will be advertised soon.
The additional work will cost more money. Some has been found thanks to pledges from the Worcester & District Change Ringing Association’s Belfry Repair Fund and the Barron Bell Trust. However, donations are still needed to fully complete the restoration work.
(Wednesday 31-August-2011)
Roof complete
We’re pleased that work is progressing well on the Tower restoration work. The roof tiles are now back on and so the tower is water-tight once again. With the flag-pole back in place too, the scaffolding has been reduced in height as the work moves downwards to start the work of replacing the beams that support the bells. We will soon know how much wood the beetles have eaten when the contractors have access to the beams.
(Sunday 17-July-2011)
Photographic updates
The appeal treasurer has been up the tower twice recently to see the work that the funds are paying for. She has taken lots of photographs and put together a report of the damage and progress so far. You can see them by clicking on the links on the main church website on the Tower Appeal page: Go to http://www.stjohninbedwardine.co.uk/appeal.html and click the links under "Photographic Progress Reports".
The first report is from 15th March and the second for 7th April.
(Friday 08-April-2011 updated Wednesday 13-April-2011)
New timber
The new timber to replace the deathwatch beetle damaged timber has been delivered today.
(Thursday 07-April-2011)
Video news report
The project has been reported in the "Worcester Online News Magazine", a completely online news outlet. The magazine includes a panorama from the top of the tower and a piece to camera by Appeal Assistant Treasurer Philip Evans. You can read the article and watch the film by going to http://www.worcester-online-newsmag.co.uk/ and visiting page 8/9.
(Monday 07-March-2011)
In the news again!
The start of the project is once again in the news. You can read the latest article by the "Worcester Standard" on page 5 of their online version of the newspaper. Just visit http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/paper/
(Saturday 05-March-2011)
Tower work begins!
The work to restore the tower has started! The work started on time yesterday. The imminent start of the project was also reported in Saturday's Worcester News. To read the article follow the link http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/8877751.Church_bells_will_ring_out_again_after_appeal_hits_target/
(Tuesday 01-March-2011)
A Gentleman of Rome
THE POETRY OF JOHN KEATS
DEVISED AND DIRECTED BY RICHARD EDMONDS
Saturday, April 2nd 2011 at 7.30pm in St John’s Church,
We at St John’s church are very pleased indeed and privileged to have the opportunity to host a rich and poignant recital that explores the many facets of John Keat’s young life through the kind generosity of Richard Edmonds and the renowned actors Timothy West, Jeffery Dench and Carolyn Backhouse. Lighting and sound will be arranged by Jake Chambers, senior technician at the Swan Theatre.
The evening, written by the award winning director Richard Edmonds, A Gentleman of Rome, is based on the life of John Keats and reflects his pre-occupation with poetry, pleasure and philosophy. We will hear of the twilight cloisters of ‘The Eve of St Agnes’ and of the melancholy knight wandering through a land without birdsong in ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’
Using letters from Keats himself and those of his intimate circle of friends, and of course Keats’ sublime poetry, the programme will set the poet’s life within the context of his time. Included are many of the love letters to Fanny Brawne, which are critically acknowledged to be among the finest in our language.
Much of Keats’ most memorable poetry will be in the programme, including the odes ‘On A Grecian Urn’, ‘To A Nightingale’, ‘On Melancholy’, as well as ‘To Autumn’, ‘To Fanny’,’ To Sleep’, along with extracts from Hyperion and Endymion.
The evening presents a rare opportunity to hear world famous actors at St John’s Church with the proceeds going to St John’s Church Tower Appeal. The evening is on Saturday 2nd April and starts at 7.30pm in St John’s Church, St John’s, Worcester WR2 5BS.
Tickets for the evening cost £10.00 and may be purchased from Ron Cantrill (please email tower AT stjohninbedwardine.co.uk) and on the door. However, it is strongly recommended that tickets are bought or pre-booked as seating may be limited for such a prestigious event.
A GENTLEMAN OF ROME, a haunting evening of literature and theatre that has been praised by audiences wherever it has been performed, should not be missed.
(Thursday 17-February-2011)
Church prepares for work to start
The church's preparations for the start of the restoration work to the tower are well under way. Various areas of the church are being cleared for access by the contractors. Furniture is being moved out of the way and the gallery floor is being cleared ready for a trap-door to be cut for the bells to be brought through.
Although the work will inevitably have an impact on the rest of the building, it is hoped that it will continue to be open for visitors during the work.
(Sunday 13-February-2011)
HLF enthusiastically supports project
The project to enable the bells to ring out once again is enthusiastically supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. We are pleased now to be able to report that HLF awarded the project the full amount applied for, which is also their maximum grant size, of £50,000.
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a non-departmental public body administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) which was given the responsibility of distributing a share of money raised through the National Lottery for Good Causes, to heritage across the UK, in 1994.
(Tuesday 08-February-2011)
Project widely supported
The project has been supported by a fantastic number of people and organisations. Many of the organisations we applied to for funding have been impressed by the number of individual donations received from the local community, for which we are very grateful.
We have received grants from:
-Allchurches Trust
-Bransford Trust
-Church Buildings Council
-English Heritage
-Jill Franklin Trust
-Lasletts Charities
-National Churches Trust
-Ratcliff Foundation
-St John’s Women’s Fellowship
-Worcester & Dudley Historic Churches Trust
-Your Heritage
We are also grateful for the donations received from many local ringing groups:
-Hallow Handbells
-Martley Change Ringers Guild
-Ombersley Tower & Ringers
-Powick Ringers
-St. Mary's Society of Change Ringers
-St. Matthias Ringers, Malvern Link
-St. Peter's Martley Bellringers
Thank you to everyone that has supported the project so far. We look forward to the day in the not too distant future when we can say "Thank you" with the sound of the bells!
(Saturday 05-February-2011)
Work due to start in less than a month
A meeting has been held with the architect and contractors, at the church, and we now know that the restoration work to the tower will begin in less than a month on Monday 28th February.
(Friday 04-February-2011)
We have enough money to start the project!
Considerable funds have been raised from local donations and events. Charitable foundations and local ringing and social groups have also given. A big THANK YOU to everyone.
We still have a small funding shortfall and also need to take account of unexpected work arising during the project. So it's not too late to donate!
But the good news is that work will be starting very soon.
(Tuesday 01-February-2011)
Grand Draw result
The winning tickets were drawn this afternoon as part of the Grand Draw, raising money for the Tower Appeal.
Well done to those that won!
(Saturday 11-December-2010)
Appeal committee turns its attention to restoration
Now that the quotes are in, the Tower Appeal Committee is beginning to gear itself up for the forthcoming restoration work to the Tower. We're nearly there with the fundraising, so thank you to everyone that has donated. Donations are still gratefully received!
(Sunday 03-October-2010)
Excellent concerts
Thank you to everyone that attended one of the Worcester Festival events in aid of the Tower Appeal. They have helped to raise money for the Appeal. They were also excellent and very enjoyable events.
(Wednesday 25-August-2010)
Plans & Specification
The final plans and specification for the works to the Tower have now been finalised and are on display in the church (on the Tower Appeal board in the North Aisle - the far side of the church).
Please feel free to pop into the church during opening hours to have a look at the plans. The church is normally open 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday. However, please note that the church may not be open on Wednesday & Thursday (4th & 5th August) due to holidays.
(Tuesday 03-August-2010)
Final push?!
The local newspapers have reported on the success of the Village Fayre and that the Tower Appeal is now on the homeward straight. Although we have raised well over half the target, we still have a long way to go! All donations of time and money are still gratefully received.
(Saturday 17-July-2010)
David Briggs concert
Thank you to everyone that supported this event. We were treated to a truly spectacular programme. It helped raise nearly £600 for the Tower Appeal.
(Thursday 27-May-2010)
Events workshop
We are planning to have an events workshop meeting where we will discuss and plan our forthcoming events, which will be open to all interested in helping. Keep an eye out for the date!
(Monday 03-May-2010)
Appeal reaches £130,000
The total amount raised to date has reached £130,000.
(Thursday 04-March-2010)
English Heritage grant
As reported in the Worcester News and the Worcester Standard newspapers today, we are please to have received a grant offer of £40,000 from English Heritage, which we have accepted. This takes the current total raised to over £125,000. Although this means we have broken through the half-way point, it does not mean that the appeal is over; there's still nearly £75,000 to raise!
So, if you would like to make a donation please visit http://www.stjohninbedwardine.co.uk/appeal.html where there is information about donating via cheque or by credit/debit card using our new secure facility provided by the Co-operative Bank.
(Friday 19-January-2010)
Worcester Standard
Have a look on page 2 of this week's Worcester Standard and you'll see an article about the Tower Appeal. Click the following link to read the article on their website http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/news89024.html
(Friday 08-January-2010)
Great News!
The St. John's Feoffees have pledged to give £50,000 to the Tower Appeal. This takes our current total raised to £85,000.
(Sunday 20-December-2009)
Grand Draw
The Grand Draw was drawn at 2 p.m. today (Saturday 12th December) and we would like to congratulate those lucky people who have won one of the six prizes. Well done!
(Saturday 12-December-2009)
Donations
If you would like to make a donation to the Tower Appeal, please make cheques payable to St. Johns Church Tower Appeal and send to Tower Appeal, The Parish Office, 1a Bromyard Road, St. Johns, Worcester. WR2 5BS.
(Wednesday 04-November-2009)
Appeal reaches £30,000
We have now raised £30,000. Thank you.
(Thursday 22-October-2009)
Appeal reaches £25,000
Thank you to everyone that has made a donation to the Tower Appeal. Through donations, events and pledges, we have now reached the first £25,000.
(Sunday 27-September-2009)
English Heritage
English Heritage are now considering our application. Seven other applications were rejected at this initial step. By getting through to the present step, we are NOT guaranteed any funding, but it does mean our application is probably eligible.
(Sunday 30-August-2009)
Appeal progressing well
The Appeal is progressing well and £17,000 has now been raised towards the repairs. Thank you!
(Sunday 09-August-2009)
Grand Draw
Tickets are on sale to enter our Grand Draw in aid of the Tower Appeal. The winning tickets will be drawn on Saturday 12th December. Tickets cost 20p each or £1-a-book. FIRST PRIZE: £100 CASH.
(Sunday 19-July-2009)
Listen to the Band concert
The 'Listen to the Band' concert last night raised nearly £900 for the Tower Appeal. Thank you to everyone that came to the concert.
(Sunday 19-July-2009)
Village Fayre results
Thank you to all who came to the fayre yesterday and to all those that helped with the running of the fayre. The total raised in aid of the Tower Appeal was just under £1400.
(Sunday 12-July-2009)
Appeal on your doorstep!
Letters are being delivered to many parts of the Parish explaining about the Tower Appeal. If you would like to deliver any, please let us know. If you receive one, please be generous!!!
(Wednesday 01-July-2009)
Banners
A new road-side Tower Appeal banner has been put up (to the east end of the church). You can keep an eye on this banner to monitor our progress. We will update the progress bar every so often.
(Saturday 20-June-2009)
Summer Village Fayre
We are planning and organising a Summer Village Fayre. There will be a Bouncy Castle, plenty of stalls and hopefully lots more too!
Have you got any suggestions for what else could happen at the fayre? Could you help us by running a stall? Could you help us to advertise the event? If yes to any of these, please email us at the Tower email address (tower AT stjohninbedwardine.co.uk replace AT with symbol).
(Friday 22-May-2009)
Appeal reaches its first £10,000 !
Five figures has now been reached with the first £10,000 having been raised. This is excellent news only a couple of weeks after the launch. Thank you to everyone that has donated so far, but this is not the end yet! We still need another £190,000. All donations are gratefully received, large or small and even if you cannot afford to make a monetary donation, donations of time are important too at the forthcoming fund-raising events.
The next event in aid of the Tower Appeal is: 11th July - Summer Village Fayre.
(Wednesday 13-May-2009)
Receive email updates
If you would like to be kept up-to-date by receiving email updates, please send an email to tower@stjohninbedwardine.co.uk with the subject: Email updates and the content: Please sign me up to receive email updates, my email address is...
We do NOT need any other personal details.
(Saturday 25-Apr-2009)
Appeal officially launched
Thank you to everyone who visited the official launch today. Thank you too to those that have donated. Adding up the donations we received today, and the pre-launch donations, we have now raised over £9000.
(Saturday 25-Apr-2009)
This page will be used to put the latest Tower Appeal news, once it has been launched on Saturday 25th April 2009 at the Church at 11 a.m..
