North Somerset villagers join chorus to save 13th century church tower

Parishioners in a North Somerset village are joining forces this Saturday to sing and ring to help raise the £150,000 needed to conserve the 13th century tower of their church.

St George's Church in Easton-in- Gordano will be the venue for An Autumn Anthology on Saturday when performers of all ages will present a concert of music and readings.

The seven-strong team of Ladye Bay Handbell Ringers – who proposed the fundraising event – will set the tone.

They will ring peals ranging from Charpentier's Te Deum and the Welsh folk tune The Ash Grove to J.S. Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze and the American spiritual, Were You There?

London-based soloist Laura Stanley, a former Clifton High School pupil and professionally trained actress and singer, will perform Italian arias and songs from popular musicals including Salad Days, Guys and Dolls and Carousel.

Among others performing to help raise the money needed for repairs to the parapets, openings, buttresses and walls of the 800-year-old tower of St George's Church are 13-year-old Emily Binnington, who plays the piano and flute, and her 11-year-old brother William who is a saxophonist and recorder player.

The Gordano School pupils, who regularly accompany the singing of choruses during church services, will perform pieces by seven composers.

Completing the evening's entertainment will be readings by three parishioners – Harry Beswick, Ian Ramsay and Mo Mortlock.

Tickets for An Autumn Anthology, which starts at 7.30 pm, are £6 (£4 for under-16s) including an interval glass of wine and finger buffet. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance from Mo Mortlock (telephone 01275 335575), Verity Goodfellow (01275 372026) and Jean Beswick (01275 874708).