FUNDRAISING to repair church bells in Radley was a resounding triumph after parishioners raised £30,000 in just three days.

Members of St James’ Church got together to raise cash so they could repair its six bells after the church fell short of the amount needed.

The church required £39,000 for repair work, but even with pooling its existing funds and grants it still did not have enough.

Vicar at the Radley church, Pam McKellen said: “The bells mean a lot to the village. Everyone is very used to hearing the bells. They have been there for hundreds of years and needed urgent repairs, at least one could have just cracked at any moment.

“We decided to have one big weekend of events rather than lots of little events to raise the money. We prayed for what to do and felt one weekend was the right answer.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge but we believed it was really important to people in the village.”

The event was held over one weekend at the end of June and saw villagers gather for bell activities such as ringing hand bells and the featured Charmborough Ring – a mobile belfry of six bells – plus quizzes, cake sales and demonstrations.

Prior to the event, donation envelopes had been handed out and these were put into a large papier-mache bell and counted at the end of the weekend.

Rev McKellen added: “It was really exciting because we did not know until we started counting. A lot of the village contributed.”

Church treasurer David Handscomb said he was “amazed” by people who poured into the church to help raise funds.

He added: “It was decided that rather than try to raise the money in stages through a long-drawn-out series of events, we would pray hard, have a single concentrated effort and focus on a single weekend at the end of June.

“Everyone was invited to events in the church on the weekend of June 20 and 21 and to contribute.”

Mr Handscomb said church-goers “thanked God” after they discovered how much they had raised, with work set to start on the bells next month.

He added: “The ringers ended the weekend with a joyful peal of giving thanks.”

The bells are set to be taken down on Monday, September 7 for repairs.

It is hoped the bells will be back in time for many bell-ringing celebrations at Christmas.