www.wrington.net Launch Event  We are launching an Appeal in Wrington and neighbouring areas, to raise £25,000 towards the cost (of about £80,000) of necessary works to the Tower of All Saints’, its bells and its clock. We are a committee of bell-ringers, a historian, and PCC members. Bells have rung in Wrington for over 400 years and we want bell-ringing to continue for another century and more. Bell- ringing is a living tradition that thrives in the village, its skills being passed on from generation to generation. In 1911, the number of bells in the tower was increased from 6 to today's 10. Engineers inserted steel beams in the tower walls to strengthen them. Now these rusting beams have to be replaced by stainless steel ones, so that the bells can be rung safely for another 100 years. We need to overhaul the frames that carry the bells, the mechanisms that operate them and the wiring and lighting. We also need to overhaul the unreliable clock mechanism although we will not affect in any way the sound of the distinctive Westminster Chimes. The proposed work is estimated to cost about £80,000. Once we have obtained approval from the Diocese, we plan to start work, expected to take 6 months, in the new year The PCC of All Saints’ Wrington will be commissioning the work. We believe that the trustees of the Lawder bequest are likely to set aside £30,000 towards the Appeal. We hope that the balance of the cost will be raised, as to £25,000 from charities involved in historic building preservation and bell- ringing, and £25,000 (of which £6,000 has already been raised by villagers) by this appeal. We are holding a launch event in the front garden of the Old Rectory (opposite the Golden Lion) in the early evening of 23rd September. There will be food, and drink and a portable bell frame with small bells and ropes to try out.  At the same time Andrew Ball has generously offered to organise a team of ringers who will be ringing out ‘Grandsire Caters’ on the church bells. We are not selling tickets, and there will be no charge – merely a collection towards the cost of the food and drink.  The food will be on a ‘first come first served’ basis, starting at 6.30 pm. Villagers, including children can see and try out the bells during the afternoon. Further information will be available nearer the time. David Marsh, Hon Treasurer, Parochial Church Council   1.8.10