Clwyd South MS gives ringing endorsement to church bell restoration bid

The Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South has given a ringing endorsement of a fundraising campaign to restore a church’s 200-year-old bells.

St Mary’s Church in Chirk is aiming to raise £60,000 to not only maintain the existing six bells but ‘complete the octave’ and add two more.

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates recently visited the church to meet with Tower Captain Peter Furniss and the enthusiastic team of bell-ringing volunteers.

“There have been bells in the tower of St Mary’s since 1519 and the present ring of six have been part of the soundscape of Chirk since 1814,” said Mr Skates.

“They continue to be rung regularly by the enthusiastic and committed band of ringers, but over two centuries of regular use has taken its toll and the bells require major restoration – and expenditure – to ensure that they continue to ring in future.

“St Mary’s is a beautiful church and it was amazing to be treated to a short performance from the team and to see the bells in action close up. It was certainly worth the climb to the top of the tower!”

There will be a fundraising event at the church hall on Saturday March 16, starting at 2pm, which will include a presentation about bell ringing and the history of the bells at St Mary’s.

Mr Skates said he had written to the Welsh Government to see how it can help.

He added: “I was invited to St Dunawd’s Church in Bangor-on-Dee in 2021 when they launched their own campaign to save their bells, and I hope the St Mary’s fundraising effort will be just as successful.”