Villagers look forward to church bells ringing again after vital £25k grant

National Churches Trust has come to the aid of the grade one listed St Denys Church, at Eaton, which is on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ and has had an uncertain future.

The tower is one of a just a handful of churches in England that has an ironstone spire but the structure is unstable and bellringing has stopped due to serious safety concerns.

But the grant means that around 300 eroded stones can now be replaced in the tower, three of the pinnacles will be restored and repointing work carried out on the stonework in lime mortar.

An accessible toilet, with baby changing facilities, will also be installed in the church with the money, ensuring the building can continue to operate as an important community venue.

The funding is a huge boost for Eaton InSpired – a project dedicated to saving the historic village church as a local asset.

A delighted Rev Susan Bradley, the project co-lead and treasurer, said: "Once the work is completed the bells can ring again without the risk of destabilising the pinnacles which have been especially eroded over time.

"We are delighted to receive a grant from the National Churches Trust towards this work, it will help tremendously towards the Project costs.

“The project has drawn the people of Eaton village together and inspired groups to pursue smaller projects related to swifts, bats, wildflowers, heritage and history. 

"It is a wonderful example of how the life of a small village church can impact its local community and act as a focus for all sorts of exciting developments.”

Built of local ironstone, St Denys church dates back to at least the 1100s while the structure you see today largely dates back to the 13th century with 15th century alterations.

The clock on the tower chimes hourly and was installed through public subscription by the villagers in 1919 in memory of those who died in the First World War.

There are six bells in the tower, which used to be regularly rung by local people and visiting ringers – the Tenor bell was originally cast in 1589, and recast in 1902, while the third and fourth bells date back to the 17th century.

St Denys is on a national cycling route and regularly welcomes visitors from further afield who want to enjoy the building’s beautiful heritage.

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said:  "We are delighted to be able to support St Denys to enable them to carry out urgent repairs to their beautiful building.

"Not only will this protect this important heritage, but it will help to keep the church building open and serving local people.

“Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to community services or a place to worship, the National Churches Trust helps hundreds of churches each year and with the support of local people, keeps them thriving today and tomorrow.”