Our Spire, Our Heritage

AT RISK

£800,000 needed

£200,000 raised — £600,000 to go
Help keep our iconic grade II* listed landmark standing for generations.

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The Challenge

The 2024 inspections revealed critical structural failure in the upper Spire and Tower:

  • Corroded Steel: The central rod is expanding from rust.

  • Cracked Stone: Internal expansion is actively splitting the summit.

  • Rotting Timber: The wooden base support is deteriorating.

The Priority: Replace the rod and timber framework immediately to prevent collapse. High-level repairs must happen while scaffolding is in place.

A vertical, narrow well in a rocky environment with rusty metal supports.
A vertical, narrow well in a rocky environment with rusty metal supports.
Looking up inside a deep, rocky cave or mine shaft with a black pole or pipe extending downward into the dark.
Looking up inside a deep, rocky cave or mine shaft with a black pole or pipe extending downward into the dark.
A close-up view of a metal pipe inside a stone or concrete wall, with some wires or pipes attached to it.
A close-up view of a metal pipe inside a stone or concrete wall, with some wires or pipes attached to it.
A makeshift wooden cross tied with purple and white fabric against a stone wall.
Close-up of a metal water tower or antenna on top of a building, with a scenic cityscape and rolling hills in the background.
A tall metal cross with ornate details standing against a background of blue sky and white clouds.
A tall metal cross with ornate details standing against a background of blue sky and white clouds.

The Solution

We are launching a phased, expert-engineered repair plan to secure the landmark, prioritising the critical work:

  • Rebuild the Summit: Dismantle and rebuild the top 3 metres of the Spire to extract the damaged interior core.

  • Upgrade the Core: Install a brand-new, corrosion-resistant central steel rod and a heavy-duty timber base support.

  • Restore the Cross: Lower the 3-metre summit cross to a specialist workshop to repair structural fractures in its metal shaft.

  • Fix All Stone Decay: Utilize the specialized high-level scaffolding to patch and repoint all failing masonry across the Spire and Tower.

Keep Our Skyline Standing

For over 160 years, our iconic Spire has watched over our town. Today, it needs your help to survive.

By joining our community of donors, your gift directly funds the critical scaffolding, expert engineering, and specialist stonemasonry required to save this historic landmark.

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