St Andrews church in Marks Tey needs donations

The Tower Appeal Fund has been created by organisers at St Andrew’s Church in Marks Tey which is looking to raise £80,000 by the end of 2023

And they are calling on the community to help.

The tower is more than 900 years old with construction done in different stages.

The bottom and top sections are 15th-century and 16th-century builds respectively.

Churchwarden Andrew Waters said: “The last time the spire was re-shingled was a result of bomb blast damage from World War Two.

St Andrew's Churchwarden Andrew Waters

“We expect the cost to be at least £80,000 but it wouldn’t surprise me if we need to raise half of that ourselves and get the rest on grants.”

So far it has raised £6,644 through individual donations and an open garden day. But a significant amount is still needed.

Church buildings are inspected every five years by church architects and St Andrew’s Church has been advised it needs to start doing work in 2023.

However, the process has now been sped up because of the current situation.

The church has ongoing day-to-day maintenance and church architects have also told church members to provide some surface water drainage to take water away from tower walls.

Mr Waters added: “We have oak shingles that are splitting and lifting, they’ve got repairs to do on the brick work and stonework.

“We have a section of the roof that needs to be re-tiled as well.”

A gift day is being held at St Andrew’s Church on Sunday to boost the coffers for the renovations and it is hoped there will be another open garden day next year.

Mr Waters said: “Hopefully the gift day produces donations from church and community members. A lot of people would have seen the lovely tower from the train going to London, it stands gloriously.”

To donate, contact church treasurer Yvonne Norman at yvonne.norman@live.co.uk