Church spire saved – in the nick of time!
Team raises £1million for building work after ‘dramatic’ journey
Friday, 27th March — By Isabel Loubser
Revd Caroline Titley at St Andrew’s Church: ‘We feel, great. All the work we’ve put into it has borne fruit’
WHEN she first took up post four years ago, Barnsbury’s new priest had one major mission: save the crumbling spire at St Andrew’s Church.
Having a background in both theology and construction, The Reverend Caroline Titley was tipped as the ideal person for the job, and four years on she can claim success.
The priest said it had been a “dramatic” journey, but the team have finally raised the £1million necessary thanks to grants and donations, and the stonemasons are due to arrive imminently.
It all came down to the final bell, Revd Titley told the Tribune. “Our architect was saying you’ve got to start these works in the spring, because he was getting concerned at the state of the spire,” she said. “Even in January, he put new netting up on the spire. It was a crisis.”
Historic England publicly confirmed yesterday (Thursday) that the spire, which dates back to 1854, was one of the three projects it had selected as recipients of a major grant.
It is this funding, alongside a grant from the National Lottery, and thousands of pounds in donations from the congregation and local community, which means they can finally go ahead.
“We feel great, we feel relieved, we feel that all the work we put into it has borne fruit,” said Revd Titley.
“We’re going to have two ceremonies. We previously had a service with me at the top and the architect and the contractor and the people down at the ground level. We’re planning to do something bigger and better. This scaffolding is 40 metres. I’m willing to go up heights.”
Islington South and Finsbury MP Dame Emily Thornberry said she was “so, so pleased” to hear that the church now had “some proper funding that will make a difference and secure this church for the future”.
She told the Tribune: “Along with an awful lot of local residents we’ve been very worried about what will happen to the church. It’s not just a focal point for those who want to pray, it’s a focal point for the community, a real community hub.”
Meanwhile, literary enthusiasts will be flocking to Barnbsury next month for an inaugural book festival to help raise the final extra bit.
Sir Grayson Perry, Dan Cruickshank, and actor Rob Delaney are among the famous faces due to give talks at the first event, which will run over two days, and include a literary walking tour.
Anna Logman, who organised the festival, said: “This is a facinating neighbourhood, bristling with book lovers and writers, and what better way to bring people together than a book festival. I’ve always loved the book-ignited excitement and atmosphere of the Hay Festival, and having a slice of that in Barnsbury will be a dream come true.”
Co-organiser Phyllis Richardson said that they wanted the festival to celebrate reading in “unexpected places like the boxing club and a gamer pub”, which is why events will be taking place at venues across the neighbourhood. “Andrew O’Hagan’s best-selling novel Caledonian Road gave readers a taste of our distinictive corner of London,” she said. “We invite them to come along in person and be inspired!”
Barnsbury Book Festival runs from April 17-19. www.barnsburybookfestival.org/
