THE village of East Worldham will next week host an Auction of Promises in aid of the Church Tower Fund.

Starting at 7.30pm in East Worldham village hall on Friday, March 24, the auction has more than 40 lots ranging from a year’s subscription to Worldham Park Golf Club to a meal for two at The Three Horseshoes pub, and from a weekend at a cottage in the Welsh borders to a day’s sailing in Chicester harbour, baby sitting until late, gardening services, and a day at a beach hut.

The money raised will go toward a £28,000 appeal to repaint and repair the tower on the Church of St Mary the Virgin. But it is a project that, due to the age of 13th Century Grade II* Listed building, has gone from costing £9,000 to a much more substantial £28,000.

According to church warden Christine Bone, the parochial church council set up the Church Tower Fund in 2014 to raise money to repaint and repair the tower, and approximately £5,000 was raised toward the cost of £9,000.

However, when the builders started work, after permission had been granted, following delays due to the presence of bats, evidence was discovered of bird damage and the workmen found sections of rotten wood, increasing the cost to £28,000.

A second appeal was made last December. Donations were received, along with grants from county and district councillors. Fundraising events have been held, including a Christmas tree festival and a bridge tea, and to date the fund has raised approximately £24,000.

Work on the tower is almost complete. The wood has been repaired and repainted, the weather vane has been repainted, and the shingles on the spire have been replaced.

The parochial church council has expressed sincere appreciation of the generosity of the donors and grant providers, and thanks to all those who have attended and given their time to help with fundraising events.

Within touching distance of its final goal, the parochial church council is continuing to seek donations and grants with the Auction of Promises the next event in its fund raising calendar, followed in July by a concert courtesy of The Worldham Choir.