A CAMPAIGN is underway for the restoration of church bells in Chirk and it has the backing of the town’s Senedd member Ken Skates.

MS for Clwyd South, Mr Skates paid a recent visit to the historic St Mary’s Church, in Church Street, ahead of a fundraising campaign to restore its 200-year-old bells.

Mr Skates met tower captain Peter Furniss and the enthusiastic team of bell-ringing volunteers.

READ MORE:

The church is aiming to raise £60,000 to not only maintain the existing six bells but "complete the octave" and add two more.

Mr Skates said he was delighted to be given the invite to the church – plus the steep climb up to the ringing room – and to help give the campaign a boost.

He said: “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.

“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.

Get in touch

Share your views on this story by sending a letter to the editor. To get in touch email news@bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk, or fill in the form on this section of our website.

Mr Skates said he had written to the Welsh Government to see how it can help, and pointed to a similar campaign that he supported within his constituency to

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.

“I hope the St Mary’s fundraising effort will be just as successful.”