The historic bells of St Mary’s Church, Overton, are set to fall silent this November as they come down for essential repairs – the first time they’ve been removed since 1968. The complex restoration is part of a wider project costing around £100,000.
As part of the works, 80 new oak louvres will be installed in the church tower at £200 each. Parishioners and local supporters are being invited to sponsor a louvre – and, in a lovely touch, those who do will be able to leave a personal message or inscription on their sponsored piece during refurbishment. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the church directly via admin@stmarysoverton.org.uk or treasurer@stmarysoverton.org.uk.
For safety reasons, there will be no access to the church rooms via the main church on those two days. Instead, visitors should use the external link door. There will also be no access to the area beneath the bell tower, and anyone attending the church is asked to use the south aisle and enter with caution while work is underway.
Churchwarden Stuart Williams said:
“It’s a huge moment for St Mary’s. These bells have rung out across Overton for generations, so it’s only right we look after them properly. It’s not just about preservation – it’s about ensuring they’ll still be heard by future generations. We’re so grateful for everyone’s patience and support while this important work takes place.”
The project is expected to be completed in time for Easter, when the bells will once again ring out over Overton – sounding brighter and better than ever.
Overton Radio will be following the restoration as work progresses, keep an eye on our website and on Overton Radio for further updates.