Holy Trinity Church in Thrussington has been at the heart of a £140k fundraising campaign for the past two years since the 800-year-old building was identified as being 'at risk'.
The church community’s latest fundraiser - a fun, rhyming storybook featuring an inquisitive mouse, written by Anna Harrison their PCC Secretary - has been a big hit.
'The Tale of the Tumbling Tower of Little Thrussington' follows Fred the Church mouse and his estate agent Barry, as they go round the village of Thrussington looking for somewhere new for Fred to live because his tower is falling down.
The storybook has been a collaborative project, illustrated by local art teacher, Nicky Tarlton, with watercolours by Linda Corrall. Fiona Bashford, the editor of Thrussington village magazine, did the layout and the funding for the first print run came in the form of an "anonymouse" donor.
A book launch took place at Holy Trinity on 14 September to coincide with Ride+Stride. On the day, the church was busy and decked out in bunting and balloons, large, framed illustrations from the book, and drawings of the church by local school children.
Anna put together a history display from archives provided by their local history society and bell ringers came and rang the bells – a reminder of the need to restore the tower.
Local MP, Edward Argar attended the event, as well as councillors, Sandra Woodward and James Poland. Archdeacon Richard Worsfold also stopped by as part of his Ride+Stride cycle (covering 70 miles and 18 churches!)
Anna was pleased with the launch and said: “The church is the perfect venue for this type of event, and it looked fabulous. We had a mouse trail around the village following the journey Barry and Fred take in the book with lots to learn on the way about the history of the places he visits.
“Many people came together to help. Visitors stayed for tea and homemade cakes and were incredibly generous. The event was so popular that people have asked to come back again, so we planned a further event in October.”
A total of 100 hundred copies of the book were sold at the launch, and 100 more have been sold since, with all profits going to the church. It’s said that £50,000 of work is needed urgently to stop the tower falling, and they’ve raised an impressive £21,000 so far from events and grants.
Anna is positive about their fundraising efforts: “For a small village and church with no vicar currently in post it's a huge amount of money to raise, but the PCC are determined not to let the church fall down on their watch!” she said.
“The book has brought a great deal of joy, not only to me writing it, but to those involved in helping to get it to print and to sell. The local reviews so far have been favourable, with people telling me how much they enjoyed it and buying more copies for friends and family, which has been fabulous and obviously all helps towards our total.”
A poem by Anna Harrison and Fred, Thrussington's Church Mouse
High in the tower Fred sat in his favourite spot,
He loved this place; A lot!
The stone in his tower under his paws was crumbling,
And his church tower would very soon be tumbling,
It needed £50,000 just to fix his tower,
But to raise the funds it needed people power.
He wondered how long would Thrussington Church still be his home.
But today he could hear people - he wasn't alone.
A new home for him was his last resort,
But the wonderful people had come to lend their support.
His heart skipped with hope and he glanced to heaven above,
They were here to save their church, the church that he loved.
There was chattering and voices in the church aisles below,
Cake was eaten and the tea it did flow.
And into the bucket instead of the rain,
dropped notes and coins as through the door people came.
New hope his church would return to its former glory,
As people bought this mouse’s story.
Children's paintings and bunting so pretty across all the aisles,
Had been hung round the church with such class and style.
A village trail for families to find a new home for a mouse,
If the church wasn't saved and Fred needed a house.
The Arch Deacon wore mouse ears, Edward Argar MP,
Councillors Sandra Woodward, James Poland all came to see.
The past written in the village history displays,
Reminded everyone of the good old days.
800 years of past embedded in the church's walls
Until today he thought it might fall.
But the event to launch a book all about Fred,
Would help save the church the people said
One hundred books flew out the door,
And generous donations meant the total was more.
£1400, their kindness did raise,
and a happy mouse smiled and said "It was the best of all days".
So join, raise the profile of the cause close to Fred's heart,
So from his church, he never will part.
The Tale of the Tumbling Tower is on sale today,
All profit goes to the church, so do not delay.
If you've not bought your book, please waste no time,
They're sold at Thrussington Store and the school’s PTFA online.
Order ‘The Tumbling Tower of Little Thrussington’.
Photo credit: Shelley Costello