A CAMPAIGN is to be launched to raise £160,000 to save a crumbling belfry and protect the ancient bells at a 14th-century church.

A group of passionate bell-ringers from St Mary’s Church, Richmond, plan to launch the appeal in May and already have a wealth of ideas for raising the cash for the beloved structure.

Peter Trewby, one of the organisers of the campaign and regular bell-ringer, said an inspection of the church tower 90 years ago had concluded it needed replacing – and 60 years ago the group was told the same again.

Dr Trewby said: “The oak frame of the bell tower needs replacing – the bells weight three quarters of a tonne so it moves when we ring.

“Each generation has done enough to keep it going a little longer but now we really want to safeguard it for the future.

“Work was done to brace the tower about 50 years ago but it needs to be replaced – and our group has the resolve and enthusiasm to make it happen.”

Dr Trewby added: “The eight bells are beautiful – some are from Easby Abbey and some date back to the 1500s.

“But they are not designed to be rung together, so as well as replacing the frame we are going to get new bells and exhibit the old ones, and let people do brass rubbings of the engravings on them.”

The plans also include installing sound proofing for the tower - which dates from 1399 - so the group can train more bell-ringers, more often, while not disturbing Richmond residents.

Dr Trewby added: “We train ringers from Grinton, Catterick and Bedale and we will be able to do more of that.”

The ambitious group, of around 20 ringers aged between 12 and 90, have applied for funding to help with their appeal, but are preparing to roll their sleeves up in order to draw in the cash.

The bell-ringers have planned an appeal launch day on Monday, May 4, which will include tower tours, allowing people to ring the bells, and a teddy bear parachute race from the top of the bell tower.

Dr Trewby said the group hopes to raise the cash within the year, and has already set up a website to tell people more about the tower, bells, and the appeal, at www.richmondbells.com.