THE ever popular Historic Annual Ropley Pram Race saw the launch of a new fundraising initiative by St Peter’s Church to raise the extra funds needed to ensure completion of the work on the rebuilding of the church, devastated by fire five years ago.

There was an enthusiastic response from a wide sector of those attending the Pram Race on Monday, including dogs and family pets, to the invitation to be part of a ‘Unique Opportunity to be Part of Ropley History’ by signing a tile that will form part of the new roof. This once in a lifetime experience, which appealed to not only current villagers but to many who had been baptised, married, had family funerals in the church, or been part of the worshipping community, members of the Sunday school, choir or bell ringing team.

Not only are the tiles, which are individually numbered, being physically signed by the donors but in addition a written record is being kept which will form part of the historical documents of the church.

There will be many other opportunities for tiles to be signed, for a donation of £10, or £20 for a family, and anyone interested can contact either of the churchwardens, Norma Day, tramonto@hotmail.co.uk or Sarah Earthy, earthy479@btinternet.com, who, along with Andy Bonner who has project managed the rebuild process on behalf of the parochial church council throughout, are taking responsibility for this part of the fundraising.