HELP SAVE STAPLEHURST LANDMARK

The most visible building in Staplehurst, where the Christmas star shines out every year, needs your help.

The church on the hill has stood proudly at the heart of Staplehurst for centuries, hosting countless weddings, funerals and community events. It's more than just a building - it's a symbol of our village's history and unity.

However, time has taken its toll, and the church's 15th-century turret is in urgent need of restoration. Perched atop the hill and exposed to the elements, the turret risks collapse without urgent repair work and we could lose this historic landmark forever.

The turret with its short spire replaced the earlier larger spire which was blown down in 1673. It comprises a stone-built, hexagonal structure in the southeast corner of the tower and covers the top of the staircase. It provides access to the lead-covered wooden roof to allow flags to be flown and the star to be erected at Christmas. The turret, with its wooden shingle covered spire and surrounding lead guttering, stops water running down the tower steps. Immediately below the tower roof is the bell chamber with it's rare set of ten bells.

The work will restore the timbers of the turret roof and its spire and weathervane, the decaying stonework of the turret including the broken door intel which holds up the spire, and the tower roof itself. The work is critical for the safety of the turret of this grade 1 listed building , if you can, please help us to save this irreplaceable landmark.

We have raised over £100,000 so far, and we need another £10,000 to reach our target

Thank you for your generosity and support!