Vicar to ascend church roof (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Vicar to ascend church roof

6:12am Wednesday 30th April 2008 in

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A VICAR will be conquering his fear of heights to start 10 months of fundraising for repairs to a church in Winchester.

St Paul's in Fulflood needs urgent repairs to its roof and the Revd Peter Seal will see the what needs to be done for himself when he takes to the sky in a cherry picker' on Saturday, May 10, at 10am.

Although he is scared of heights, the brave vicar has decided to face his fears to see the gaps, holes and broken tiles that need to be fixed.

Mr Seal said: "I'm rather terrified of heights and shake just thinking about it, but I'm determined to be the first to see the roof that we need to repair.

"The fundraising is vital for the building's survival and the support St Paul's gives to the community."

Once the rector has taken a look, visitors on the day will be able to ride the platform to see both the roof and views across Winchester.

The fundraising will not be for the roof alone. Members of the church are also investigating using its south-facing slopes to site a solar powered generating plant to heat and light the building.

Churches have potential for using such sources, as they are built on an east-west axis but only a small number in the UK have embarked on such a project - St Paul's would be the first in Hampshire.

The community day on May 10 will also include music, dance, singing, stalls, games, stories and art activities.