Edward has joined the fund-raising team from St Leonard's Church, Swithland along with bell-ringers, parishioners, and local people, for the church's open morning to add his support to the campaign to raise money for the restoration of the church's bells and to attract new bell-ringers to the team.
Swithland's church is one of the focal points for the local community, with an active congregation. The ring of 6 bells given to the church in the 1760s is due to be rehung following refurbishment with entirely new fittings early next year. The team at the church is aiming to raise £40,000 for this important project, and has made good progress towards achieving it, but more donations are needed if the church is to hit its target. The 'open church' event and opportunity to learn more about bell ringing, and even have a try at it, is one of a number of fundraising events the church is organising to fund the refurbishment and rehanging of the bells. To learn more about the project, and for those who may wish to make a donation, more information can be found at: www.stleonardsswithland.org
Edward said: "St Leonard's Church in Swithland plays a central part in village life, and the sound of church bells is one of those things that has for centuries been part of life in the English countryside. It was lovely to be invited by the team at St Leonard's to join them to hear more about the fund-raising campaign to ensure that those bells can continue ringing for many decades to come, and I wish the congregation, bell-ringers, and all who support the campaign the very best in their important work raising the money needed to achieve their target."