Corsham Spire Appeal

First, a Bit of Background...

For a thousand years there has been a place of worship on this site. Over the centuries, there have been bits added on, sometimes bits taken away and many repairs. Now we need to do some major repairs and some improvements. The stonework on the tower is crumbling—we already have netting to prevent falling stones hurting people below—and the spire needs to be re-pointed as it is letting in water which causes further damage. We have damage to the stonework round some of the windows so they are at risk too.

Ironically, the present tower and spire were added in the final phase of alterations to the church when our Victorian predecessors commissioned Mr George E. Street to recommend a programme of works. The building at that time was in a perilous state but survived thanks to the zeal and devotion of our forebears.

We would like to provide a WC and refreshment facilities for when we have concerts and exhibitions in church. Our sound and lighting need improvement too. All these things cost money, although they will enable us to better serve the Corsham community and visitors to our historic church.

We launched an appeal in October 2006 to raise the money needed to do this.

You can help the appeal in any number of ways. In addition to making a donation, you could:

• bring yourself and friends to events (eg. concerts) held in aid of the spire appeal
  
• buy a souvenir from the shop at the back of the church
• join our 100 club
• have a photograph restored
• shop and search online through a special web site
• help organise fund-raising activities

We offer various souvenirs, including greetings cards, pens and pencils can be bought. Included among the items is our poetry book "Inspired Verse"—the first of a series of books we are launching to raise funds. You might be interested to know that the large collecting box at the back of the church was made of wood from the pews that were removed from the back of the church. We are very grateful to the clever carpenter who gave his talents freely to provide this splendid and beautiful example of recycling.

Every month, someone will win some money (about £30). Entries cost £1 per month. Phone (01249) 713725 for details.

Do you have any old family photographs that you would like restored? Pat Weaver can recreate worn photos, repairing cracks and folds, and correcting either colour or black and white. She will contribute time and materials: your contribution is a donation to Spire Appeal to reflect the time spent on your restoration. Phone (01249) 712175 for details.

Register with http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/spireappeal to raise money for the spire appeal at no cost to yourself.

Use easysearch when you search online and St. Bart’s Spire Appeal receives 50% of the fees paid by the advertising sponsors. You can find the search engine at http://spireappeal.easysearch.org.uk/.

If you wish to donate, you can put a cheque in the post to us and we shall be grateful for any amount received. All cheques should be made payable to ‘Corsham PCC’ and sent to:

Spire Appeal
Church House
3 Church Street
Corsham
Wiltshire
SN13 0BY