A CHURCH will give visitors an extra treat when it takes part in a national grassroots heritage event this weekend.
St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, will open for visitors on Saturday (September 13) and Sunday (September 14), as part of the Heritage Open Days initiative.
The church usually takes part in the annual event but as an added attraction this year it will open its historic bell tower on Saturday, from 10am to noon.
Visitors will be able to climb the 39 steps to the ringing chamber where local bell ringers will introduce them to the ancient art of campanology.
Helen Scott, spokesperson for St Mary’s Bellringers, said: “There will also be an opportunity to climb further steps to the clock room where the automated clock mechanisms can be seen working.
“At this event there will be no access to the bells or the tower roof but if people are interested in a separate visit this can be arranged by speaking to one of the ringers on the 13th.”
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