Restoration of Clitheroe church spire complete
A special dedication service is held at Clitheroe Parish Church following the restoration of the church's spire. Photo Ben Parsons
A SPECIAL dedication service was held at Clitheroe Parish Church on Sunday to mark the completion of restoration work on the church’s iconic spire.
The Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev John Goddard and the Archdeacon of Blackburn John Hawley were special guests at the service along with Ribble Valley Mayor Coun. Ian Sayers and the Mayoress Mrs Jean Hayes and Clitheroe Town Mayor Coun. Allan Knox and his wife Coun. Susan Knox.
Other special guests included the architect of the restoration project Steve Burke, representatives from other Clitheroe churches, and St Mary’s Scouts, Beavers, Cubs and Brownies. At the beginning of the service the bells rang for the first time since work first started on the restoration project and thanks were expressed to everyone who was involved in the project.
During the service, the Rev Andy Froud was instituted and inducted as vicar of Clitheroe Parish Church as opposed to Priest-in-Charge.
He said: “It is amazing what we have achieved in under three years. We’ve achieved a huge project within the shortest possible time that it could’ve been done in. I would like to thank everyone who helped and English Heritage who has acted as our partner in this project and to which we are so very grateful for its financial support.”
Donations are still being gratefully received to help with the project’s funding shortfall although an announcement will soon be made about how much or little still needs to be raised.
On Saturday, the Rev Froud showed parishioners the inside view of the spire, something he hopes to show more parishioners in the future.
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